Orange County Register’s High School Artist of the Year semifinalists have been announced and three members of JSerra's Class of 2021 have been selected: Kayvon Alipour for Classical Voice, Jonathan Goodwin for Non-Classical Voice, and Kristina Calvo for Computer Assisted Drawing. Alipour and Goodwin were selected in the top 15 over 95 applicants and top 5 in each of their categories; Calvo was one of 15 chosen from 59 nominations from all Orange County high schools.

Kayvon Alipour (sample work)
Alipour is a skilled tenor with an outstanding work ethic and eagerness to learn. He was selected for numerous solos in classical and musical theatre including supporting roles in JSerra’s production of Little Women and Godspell as well as the lead role of Phoebus in The Hunchback of Notre Dame. He was selected for multiple classical vocal solos and choral scholar at the Mission Basilica. In the past four years in JSerra's Performing Arts department, he has proven himself to be a leader with a thirst to learn and grown. He proactively organized, rehearsed, and conducted a choir of his peers to sing at Mass, and during the first month of the pandemic, he did the same virtually and spent hours editing audio and video to the level of a professional. He has accomplished all of the above along with a rigorous course load in which he maintains a 4.3 GPA. He joined the Arts Magnet Program during his junior year, scored 5 on the AP Music Theory Exam, and learned how to lead choirs in beg. and adv. conducting labs. Alipour seeks to be a future conductor and music educator.

Jonathan Goodwin (sample work)
Goodwin is described by his teachers as "the outstanding, hardworking student that you wish would never graduate." His peers elected him Choir President because he is highly intelligent, reliable, personable, and listens to what others have to say. He joined the Arts Magnet Program as a junior and excels at conducting and music theory. Not one to be held back by peer pressure, he is continually committed to doing his best and inspires those around to do the same. A controlled and refined performer, he was selected for lead roles in Addams Family, Godspell, Little Women, and the Hunchback in The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Amid his committed Arts Magnet schedule, three ensembles, and honors/AP course load, Goodwin is also in the Law Magnet Program, often performing on the stand in mock trails.

Kristina Calvo (sample work)
Calvo is an Arts Magnet student who has been honing her awe-inspiring digital skills since grammar school. She loves creating portraits of young women and is in the process of completing her second AP Art and Design portfolio.

The OC Artist of the Year is a student who demonstrates talent, technique, artistic vision, growth and impact, and heart. These three students are shining examples of these qualities at JSerra. We wish them luck and send prayers and encouragement as they head into the next round!