Natalie Hernandez

Senior 

Meet Natalie Hernandez, a talented Vista senior whose passion shines through the visual arts. Natalie has successfully completed the Animation CTE Pathway and is currently advancing her skills in the Drawing and Painting Pathway. Alongside maintaining outstanding grades, she dedicates time outside of classes as the President of the Vista Art Club, inspiring her peers through creativity and leadership.

Her dedication, artistry, and commitment to Vista’s VAPA programs have earned her the distinction of being our very first Vista VAPA Student Spotlight honoree! Congratulations, Natalie! 🎉

Teagan Leckie

Junior

Teagan Leckie was a standout during our Project 1 Showcase in Master Guitar. She helped out several groups on guitar and bass. Teagan has really grown into a strong musician during the start of the year! She is such a positive individual and collaborates well with all musicians!

Alisa Yu

Junior

Beyond her personal artistry, Alisa Yu has been a driving force within Vista del Lago’s creative community. As an active member and leader in multiple arts groups, she fosters collaboration and inspires her peers through her dedication to each project she is a part of.

This year, Alisa made Vista history by taking the lead in establishing FCUSD’s first chapter of the National Art Honor Society (NAHS). Her vision and initiative have created a platform to recognize and celebrate the accomplishments of Vista’s visual artists, especially those aspiring to pursue careers in the arts.

Digital Painting by Alysa Yu

Dominic "Dom" Flores

Senior

Dominic “Dom” Flores may have joined Vista del Lago as a 10th grader, but he wasted no time making his mark. In just three years, this now senior has starred in four productions and even co-directed Ranked, this year’s fall musical. Teachers and peers describe Dom as a natural leader with a gift for improv and a work ethic that sets the tone for everyone around him.

Onstage and off, he dedicates countless hours to honing his craft. Beyond the theater, he leads the Hispanic Heritage Club, helping bring campus culture to life and creating spaces where students feel seen and celebrated. Dom’s impact is felt schoolwide through his artistry, his leadership, and his commitment to community. Dom represents the best of our performing artists in this month's Student Spotlight. 

Youqi Wu

Sophomore

Youqi Wu has distinguished herself from the moment she arrived at Vista. As a freshman, she tackled two drawing and painting classes, completing both advanced courses in a single year. While maintaining outstanding grades and contributing through community service, Youqi still finds time to continually refine her artistic skills, resulting in an impressive level of mastery for such a young artist.

Her work is both technically accomplished and thematically poetic. Through symbolism and metaphor, she often explores environmental issues, creating pieces that resonate far beyond their visual beauty. Since joining Vista, Youqi has earned multiple awards for excellence in the arts from several organizations and remains deeply involved in our creative community. She is an active member of the Vista Art Club, the National Art Honor Society (NAHS), and Bilingual Whispers.

Youqi’s exceptional talent and dedication make her an invaluable part of our student body and a deserving visual arts representative for this month’s Student Spotlight.

Lyla Rinehart

Junior

Lyla Rinehart is a junior at Vista del Lago High School and a dedicated visual artist with a strong focus on storytelling and fantasy. She has completed all Drawing and Painting courses offered at Vista and is currently developing an Advanced Placement Art Portfolio, working primarily in digital media.

Lyla’s artwork explores imaginative worlds and narrative-driven moments, often blending realism with fantasy elements to create emotionally resonant scenes. While digital art is her primary medium, she remains fluid and flexible across materials, bringing the painterly techniques and sensibility of her traditional work into her digital art.

Lyla also serves as an officer in The Art Club, where she applies her leadership skills and digital literacy to facilitate meetings and maintain the club’s web presence. She is an active contributor to schoolwide creative projects. Lyla's skills and leadership traits make her an excllent choice for our February Student Spotlight! 

Tanisi Munka

Sophomore

Tanisi Munka is an outstanding 10th grade artist whose creativity, dedication, and academic excellence make her a shining member of Vista del Lago’s VAPA community. Tanisi is currently enrolled in AP Art and Design, where she continues to develop an impressive body of work.

Tanisi also serves as an officer in the National Art Honor Society (NAHS), where she contributes to the growth of Vista’s vibrant arts community. She balances her artistic commitments with excellent grades, demonstrating the discipline and curiosity that define successful artists and scholars.

Her passion for art, leadership within NAHS, and commitment to excellence make Tanisi represents the best of the Vista arts program. 🎉

Red Car, colored pencil on paper, 2025. 

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Angie Shanahan

Junior

Angie Shanahan is a talented junior whose creativity and leadership make her a standout member of the Vista del Lago VAPA community. Angie is an officer in the National Art Honor Society (NAHS) and also serves as a leader in the Bilingual Whispers Club, where she helps support and elevate the voices of student artists and authors both on and off campus.

Angie is known for her distinctive artistic style, bringing originality and thoughtful expression to her work. Her creativity, combined with a strong sense of community, makes her someone other students naturally look up to and enjoy collaborating with.

Through her leadership, artistic vision, and commitment to supporting others, Angie has become a respected and inspiring presence in Vista’s art community. We are proud to recognize her as one of our Vista VAPA Student Spotlight honorees. Congratulations, Angie!

Bear, Acrylic on canvas, 2025. 

Gyubin Noh

Junior

Gyubin Noh is an exceptional artist and inspiring leader. While maintaining outstanding grades, she has dedicated herself to refining her drawing skills, earning recognition and awards in every art class at Vista. Her accomplishments extend beyond the classroom, including receiving a prestigious Scholastic Gold Key and being featured in an interview on Good Day Sacramento for her work showcased at the Sacramento County Office of Education.

Gyubin also serves as Co-President of the Bilingual Whispers Club, where members write, illustrate, and share bilingual children’s books with local students, making a meaningful impact in the community through both art and literacy.

Her remarkable artistic talent, commitment to growth, and leadership make her a truly deserving rof Vista del Lago’s April VAPA Student Spotlight.

Grandma's House, Ink, 2025. 

Tvarita Nanda-Kumar

Junior

Tvarita Nanda-Kumar, a junior at Vista, has made a clear impact on campus through both her leadership and her creative work. While her long-term goal is a career in law, she continues to stay deeply engaged in the arts alongside a rigorous academic schedule.

As the leader of the Bilingual Whispers club, Tvarita helps guide the creation of bilingual children’s books for local students. This year, the club partnered with first graders at Russell Ranch to co-write and illustrate an original book—launching a new tradition that was meaningful for everyone involved.

Tvarita’s strong artistic skill, combined with her ability to organize and lead collaborative projects, sets her apart. She represents a model of how creativity, leadership, and academic ambition can work together to create lasting impact.

Tvarita's storybook page

Carolyn Thomas

Senior

Carolyn Thomas is a multi-talented VAPA student whose creativity can be seen across music, visual art, and school productions. She plays guitar, sings, paints, and draws, bringing a strong artistic voice to every project she takes on.

Carolyn has performed in many Vista productions and has displayed her artwork at Vistapalooza for the past three years. She also contributed to school art, decorations, and several posters for CTRL Z, the 2024–2025 VP3 film. Currently enrolled in AP Art, Carissa has completed 10 paintings in just two months, demonstrating impressive focus, discipline, and creative drive.

Through her work in both performing and visual arts, Carolyn represents the spirit of VAPA!

Interpreter, by Carolyn Thomas