Joseph Claypool will be attending the University of California, Los Angeles, in Los Angeles, California, with an applied mathematics major, with plans to later switch to aerospace engineering.

“I’ve always loved the concept of putting things together and always had a strong knack for mathematics. I grew up fascinated with airplanes, wanting to become a pilot,” said Claypool.

As the vice president of the Kindness Club and acting ASB student representative, Claypool consistently worked to strengthen community connections. He credits his high school success to working hard on his academics and the strong support of his friends and family.

“My mother always (supported) me in whatever path I chose to pursue, whether it was soccer freshman year or working at LAX last year. Adam (Kogen) has always pushed me to be the best person I could be in every realm whether it was school, skiing or life in general,” Claypool added.

UCLA consistently ranks highly in national university rankings and is renowned worldwide for its stellar combination of strong academics and athletics. Its lively student and campus life, along with the wide range of diverse programs and people, makes clear that UCLA is the perfect place for Claypool!

Addie Schumacher will be attending Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana with a major in biochemistry on the pre-med track.

“I have always been heavily interested in both biology and chemistry, so the opportunity to essentially major in both in a combined major sounded perfect,” said Schumacher. “The medical field is something that heavily intrigues me because a lot of my family are physicians, and helping people is what I have always wanted to do with my life.”

With two years of volunteer experience at Fountain Valley Region Hospital, Schumacher places strong emphasis on helping the community through her interest in healthcare.

“One of (Tulane’s) primary goals is to get their students heavily involved in community service, which is something that I have always wanted to devote my life to,” she said.

Tulane University is best known for being home to one of the oldest law and medical schools, while also founding the first public health department in the U.S. Its location in downtown New Orleans allows students access to the city’s cultural roots- from food and music to art and history.

With its ability to support pre-med students with its rigorous coursework and supportive environment, it’s evident that Tulane is the perfect fit for Schumacher!

Derek Begley will be attending Cal State University, Long Beach in Long Beach, California in the 2025-26 school year, majoring in ASL linguistics and deaf culture.

The most significant factor of CSULB that drew Begley was the strong foundation the school lays out for ASL fluency. The university’s location provided him with

“I chose CSULB because they have one of the best American Sign Language programs in the country and it’s local too,” said Begley.

His interest in ASL began from his early childhood experiences through a speech delay; citing it as a pivotal moment that peaked his interest in taking ASL classes and exploring the culture.

“I was non-verbal until I was three (years old) and finding a way to communicate with others without speaking has opened so many doors for me,” said Begley.

CSULB, part of the California State University system, is the second-largest campus out of the 23 CSU schools and is renowned for providing high quality education to a diverse student body.

With Derek’s passion for ASL, he’s sure to thrive in this supportive and enriching environment!

Kaitlyn Mady will be attending Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, majoring in government with a focus on international relations.

“A big reason I chose Harvard was that it is so far away from home and would force me outside of my comfort zone. That’s where I have the most potential to grow,” said Mady.

As Secretary General of the LAHS Model United Nations Mady demonstrated a deep interest in learning more about public speaking and global political responsibilities.

“I’m particularly interested in human rights law and policy that impacts refugee populations,” she explained. “I believe there’s real power in using policy to grant voices to disadvantaged communities around the world.”

Harvard, one of the eight prestigious and highly regarded Ivy League universities, Harvard provides a challenging and rewarding academic experience as it boasts a large list of famous and highly accomplished alumni such as U.S. presidents, Supreme Court justices and Nobel Prize winners.

The combination of strong characteristics Harvard possesses will be perfect for Mady to flourish!

Liv Fassoth will be attending the University of California, Santa Cruz in Santa Cruz, California in the 2025-26 school year with a major in neuroscience

Her interest in neuroscience was sparked by her interest in true crime. With plans to become a forensic analyst for the FBI, Fassoth wants to focus on the scientific methods to uncover crime cases.

With the support of the LAHS Orchestra, Fassoth largely credits the class with allowing her to grow in leadership, teamwork and perserverance.

“Being a member of the Los Alamitos High School Orchestra has helped me bloom into the person I am today,” she shared.

UCSC is known for housing one of the most beautiful natural settings throughout the California universities. Located within the redwoods next to Monterey Bay, the university provides students with diverse range of scenery. Its strong emphasis on sustainability, activism and STEM fosters a unique academic and social environment.

“I chose UCSC after touring the campus. The forest and ocean being so accessible helped me picture a future there,” said Fassoth.

Despite initial considerations to attend the University of Washington, her decision to attend UCSC is sure to provide her with a meaningful experience.