Capri Carrington: Finding Rhythm and Faith
For Capri Carrington, the journey from being an Eagle at Arroyo Grande High School (AGHS) to becoming a dedicated music major at Cuesta Community College has been a path defined by resilience and a deep-seated faith in God.
Looking back, she described her high school years as “fluctuating”– a mix of challenging times and a senior year she truly loved.
“I miss Greek Week, obviously, because that was super fun,” Carrington said. “I’ll never get to experience [anything] like homecoming [or] prom again.”
Carrington now spends most of her days studying and performing as a music major. Her “big days” on Tuesdays and Thursdays involve music theory and musicianship classes, and hours of dedicated practice.
Through the stress of her college work load, Carrington relies on her “golden rule” for success: don’t stop trying. She has found peace by leaning into her relationship with God and trusting that everything is part of a larger plan.
“I’ve had to just have faith that he has a plan for my life and just [find] peace in [that idea] when I [am] struggling with assignments and workload and whatnot,” Carrington said.
Tiffany Hyun: The Power of Connection
For Tiffany Hyun, the transition to college at UC Berkeley has been guided by the philosophy of “making moments matter.” During her time at AGHS, she was heavily involved in leadership classes and clubs and learned that she thrived when surrounded by a supportive community.
“Just try your best and try to make the most out of any experience you’re given and have a fun time,” Hyun said.
Hyun’s high school experience was shaped by mentors like AGHS Activities Director and Leadership Teacher Shannon Hurtado and English Teacher Ashley Kim, who taught her the value of service and leadership. She remembers the Winter Spectacular fondly, seeing the importance of spreading holiday cheer to get elementary students and their parents excited to attend.
“The most important thing is connection; developing connections with faculty and students, and making moments matter,” Hyun said.
Now at Berkeley, Hyun continues to stay active in student government and her sorority. Despite the changes in her school size, she maintains her focus on building relationships by sitting next to someone new in every class.
“[You have to] make the most out of high school, as it goes by really fast,” Hyun said.
She encourages current seniors to stay true to their interests and trust that their hard work will lead them to the right destination.
“Join clubs you’re passionate about so you can develop close relationships,” Hyun said.
Whether through the spiritual peace of a personal faith or the strength of human connection, both Carrington and Hyun prove that the lessons learned as Eagles provide a lasting foundation for navigating the world beyond high school.
