WCAAD 2026 Senior Commencement Held on May 24 in San Gabriel

West California Academy of Art and Design (WCAAD) 2026 Senior Commencement was held on May 24 at the Academy’s San Gabriel headquarter.

The 12 graduating students of the 2026 academic year achieved 100% admittance to the top-tier colleges with scholarship offers totaling $3,233,200.

“This year’s admission results not only continue our 100% college admittance rate tradition of the past three decades,” Lei Wang, the WCAAD Principal,said in her speech, “but also serve as a landmark achievement—the greatest tribute to our school's thirty-year anniversary.”

San Gabriel Councilmember Denise Menchaka congratulated the college candidates and presented the graduation certificates plus the city-issued congratulation certificates to the students.California State Treasurer Fiona Ma also sent the congratulation certificates to the WCAAD 2026 graduates.

San Gabriel City Councilmember Denise Menchaka highly commended WCAAD for its tremendous contributions to children’s art education. She said that amid the growing trend of intelligent robots replacing human labor in more and more fields, creative thinking is the only advantage humans have over machines—and it will be the greatest competitive strength for children in the future. Art education is one of the best ways to train creative thinking, and only with a creative mind can one remain undefeated in the long run.

“Make art as way to change the world through design innovations and creations. ” Omar Gallegos, the WCAAD Vice Principal and Director of Education, addressed at the ceremony, “I am extremely uplifted on how you as a group wont fear AI or ‘let it win’.  It’s just a platform and system that comes and goes. You will win because you invested in art and creation as you will innovate and stay up with the ever-changing world. ” He said that there is no doubt in his heart that this world needs artists and designers more than ever. The “last assignment” he gives  the 2026 Class is----be great!

The 2026 class has made an impressive accomplishment in the college admittance.

Yi Cai is admitted by 7 top-tier colleges including SVA、Parsons、SAIC、Pratt、SCAD、Otis with scholarships offers totaling over $600,000. 

Elyse Lin is admitted by 9 colleges including Purdue 、Wentworth、DePaul  with scholarships offers totaling over $400,000.

Jerry Deng is admitted by 7 colleges including UCLA，Art Center，USC，Otis  with scholarships offers totaling over $400,000.

Gianna Xun is admitted by 6 colleges including Art Center 、SVA、Parsons、Pratt 、Rutgers with scholarships offers totaling over $300,000.

Claudia Chan is admitted by 5 colleges including Art Center 、Ringling、Otis、Pratt 、SAIC with scholarships offers totaling nearly $300,000.

Isabella Liu is admitted by 5 colleges including Art Center 、SCAD、Otis、Pratt 、SAIC with scholarships offers totaling over $400,000.

Dora Dong is admitted by 3 colleges including Art Center 、Otis、Pratt with scholarships offers totaling over $200,000.

Emily Wu is admitted by 3 colleges including RISD 、Otis、SCAD with scholarships offers totaling over $200,000.

Lillian Chen is admitted by Otis with  a scholarship offer totaling over $100,000.

Every year, there are some students apply to non-art majors at top universities, and their art portfolios undoubtedly give them a significant competitive edge in admissions.

Nicole Chen, the 2026 graduate whose major is Creative Technology/Engineering/Design，is accepted by 7 top colleges including UC Berkeley, Northwestern, NYU. She chose UC Berkeley.

David Zhang, the 2026 graduate whose major is Chemistry/Material Science/Chemical Engineering, is accepted by 5 top colleges including USC，University of Washington. He chose USC.

Kehan Ye, the 2026 graduate whose major is Illustration/Marine Biology, is accepted by 4 top colleges including Ringling, Otis, UC San Diego. She chose UC San Diego.

"These students study art and design at our school but end up being admitted to top-tier science and engineering universities.” said Principal Lei Wang, “What may seem like an unconventional crossover actually has a deep internal connection. Studying art and applying to these technical programs are not parallel lines; they can reinforce each other across multiple dimensions."

The graduates expressed their gratitude to the Academy and the instructors.

Nicole Chen: “People often ask me, what makes you an artist in the age of AI? Never in history, has artists so prevalently come into conflict with technological tools in the way we do now. But we have something AI doesn’t have—creativity. Having the ability to create is inherently our birthright as humans, and no amount of supervised machine learning or algorithm training can replicate organic creation. Artificial intelligence will inevitably accompany us into the rest of the 21st century, but it is up to us to define what AI means in our lives. Don’t let AI define what it means to be an artist, that is your job, not a computer’s. ”

Lillian Chen: “You taught us not just painting, design, and creation, but also how to think, how to observe life, and how to stay true to what we love.I will never forget the times you revised our work again and again, stayed up late with us as we prepared for exams and portfolios, told us to ‘hold on a little longer’ when we lost confidence, and reminded us that art is not just about skill, but about expressing what's inside. These small moments have become some of the most precious memories of my life.”

Isabella Liu: "I’ve learned so much that aided my growth as an artist, as well as my personal development. If you told me four years ago that I would become the person I am today, I never would have believed it. So, I am really grateful for my experience here to have shaped me not only as an artist, but as a person as well. Although it is bittersweet to be leaving this chapter of my life, it will forever hold a special spot in my memories that I will continue to cherish."

Claudia Chan: “I started creating art when I was at a very young age, and ever since then art has been an extremely important part of my life. I believe it’s arts that has shaped me into who I am today and wishes to continue developing my creativity in the future. When I first started attending class in the academy, I was very introverted and shy. I couldn’t find myself engaging with the group. However, as I started learning with everyone more and more, I realized I was influenced by other students and Omar, which helped me open up myself more. This is important because it taught me to express my ideas freely and give people feedback without feeling nervous about it. Thank you all for giving me the opportunity to fulfill my dreams into taking a path in art, something I was always passionate about.”

Emily Wu: “I chose to major in animation because I’ve loved painting and character design since I was a child, and I really enjoy expressing my thoughts and emotions through visuals. Because I started with absolutely no prior experience, practicing sketching, color theory, and figure drawing were essential parts of my studies here. But through constant practice, I could feel myself gradually improving. I hope to continue learning new things in the future and gain even more valuable experience.”

Jerry Deng: “WCAAD program also taught me how important it is to be receptive to feedback and criticism as an artist even at times when it is harsh. I really thank Omar and Ms. Wang for being amazing mentors as they push every student to their fullest potential. They really care about their students and want them to become more independent and resilient which I think are very important traits to have especially for those that want to pursue art/design.”

Elyse Lin: “When I first joined the program, I thought art was mainly about skill and talent. Over time, I realized it also requires discipline, patience, and the ability to grow from criticism. Although there were times when I doubted myself among so many talented peers, the Academy environment constantly pushed me to improve. Seeing everyone’s dedication inspired me to work harder, and through Omar’s guidance, I also discovered my interest in industrial design and decided to pursue it in college.”

Kehan Ye said that she chose marine biology as her major because she loves it, but she will never give up art. With the arrival of the AI era, it has indeed become very convenient to get assistance, and AI can do many things on behalf of humans. However, only humans can think independently. Creation is not just about drawing—it is every creator's reflection and emotional expression about humanity, society, and life.

Gianna Xun:"Two years ago, I decided to apply for an art program. But I was starting almost from scratch. In just two years, building an outstanding portfolio good enough to get into my dream school was incredibly difficult. Sometimes, I even wanted to give up. Yet my teachers didn't give up on me. They held me to a very high standard, and it was precisely that strictness that helped me — someone who has always lacked patience — to learn, little by little, to persevere and to develop patience in my artistic journey. In the end, I not only stuck with it, but also received acceptance letters from many top schools. My dream really did come true."

Dora Dong: “I especially want to thank my art teacher, Omar, for helping me develop my artistic skills and creativity through his life drawing classes, which helped me improve a lot as an artist. I truly enjoyed my time here, and it is an experience I will never forget.”

Yi Cai, who was unable to attend the graduation ceremony due to scheduling conflicts, sent a message expressing her gratitude to the Academy and teachers, while also sharing her perspective on the significance of art education in one’s life.  “Omar’s strictness used to intimidate me—I didn’t dare slack off for a second in his class. I even got scolded to tears once for not taking an assignment seriously at the beginning. But over time, I came to understand that his strictness wasn’t personal—it was just him being responsible for every single student. It was Omar who gave me the strongest foundation through his high standards. And it was Omar who, through his professional attitude, gave me confidence during my most confused and uncertain times. Thank you to Mr. Wang and Omar for helping me realize my goal of pursuing art in the future. I’m so grateful that I got into a college I love, studying something I’m truly passionate about.”

The parents expressed their gratitude from the bottom of their hearts to the Academy and the instructors for such valuable gift of art education.

LilIian Chen’s Father: “Thank you for not only teaching our children professional skills but also showing them how to observe the world, understand beauty, and express their emotions. Art education is not just about technique—it's about shaping character and spirit. The growth our children have achieved would not have been possible without your patient guidance, encouragement, and presence. Countless late nights of practice, revisions, and starting over—all of it happened with the quiet, dedicated support of the teachers behind the scenes. As a father, I have also witnessed firsthand the changes in my daughter over these three years. She has become more independent, more self-disciplined, and braver. She has learned to hold onto what she loves, to use art as a way to express her inner world, and to face failure and pressure with resilience. To me, these qualities are even more valuable than grades. I believe the professional skills, aesthetic sensibility, and passion for art that she has gained at WCAAD will become the most precious treasures of her life.”

Jerry Deng”s mother: “Thank you for the dedicated guidance, professional instruction, and selfless support you have given Jerry throughout his growth and educational journey. At WCAAD, Jerry has learned more than just how to draw. He has learned to become a responsible, creative, and independent thinker. The Academy has not only helped him build an outstanding portfolio but also provided invaluable opportunities to engage with the real world—such as volunteering, creating movie posters, and collaborating on real-world projects. These experiences have helped him understand the relationship between art and society. What the teachers have imparted to the students is not just technique, but true hard skills and real ability. As a parent, I have always felt grateful for the choices we made."

Gianna Xun's Father: "To me, the Academy is more than just a place for learning to draw — it's a place that truly sees children.  You are not just teaching — you are lighting up each child's creativity. What makes Mr. Omar so special is that he doesn't measure every child by the same standard. Instead, he discovers each child's unique way of seeing — their own eyes, their own world. The essence of education is not just about acquiring knowledge, but about gaining the ability to re-examine yourself and the world around you. He helps children understand something important: drawing is not about copying the world, but about expressing how you see the world.”

Ms.Wang and Omar extended their wishes to the graduating students as they embark on their college studies. “No matter what profession or industry you eventually choose,” they said, “in this highly competitive and ever-changing era, may you unleash your boundless creativity and talent, and grow into leading figures in your respective fields.”