Today we bring you part two of our 2026 Senior Highlights series! Catch up on Part 1 here. Each post will feature our seniors individually: their plans for the future, a few of their answers to some Q&A, and a link to their Senior Project presentation.
Every spring, our high school seniors present their capstone Senior Projects with a professional presentation summarizing their work. Anyone who attends is sure to be impressed with their depth of thought, confidence, and poise. Be sure to check out some, or all, of these culminating projects! Our seniors have all joined the great conversation; let us witness and experience it alongside.
Gavin Burtness
After high school, Gavin plans to get his A&P and as many pilot licenses as he can.
Favorite hobbies? Fixing cars.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given? When at all possible, be lazy.
What do you love most about SLOCA? My favourite part of this school is the community.
Senior Project: Restoring Automobiles: And My Experience with a Pontiac Fiero
Megan Jackson
After high school, Megan wants to explore Engineering to find the niche of STEM she wants to go into. She wants to continue to make art throughout college; it’s such a huge part of her life, and she really loves it.
Favorite SLOCA memory? Going on the CAJCL Latin trip in junior year, that was such an amazing experience and the most I’ve ever remembered laughing. Hearing in the amphitheater over the loudspeaker that our T-shirt design won first place was so surreal!
Best advice for incoming freshmen? Stay on top of the reading. The reading quizzes make up such a big part of your grade in English; if you can pick up the habit early of reading, it’ll save you so much stress in the long run!
Favorite hobbies? I love to oil paint and create with all kinds of mediums. I’m always happiest when I’m painting.
Senior Project:What We Leave Behind: An Exploration of Childhood and Wonder Through Stop-Motion Animation
Wyatt Stapp
After high school, Wyatt plans to attend college.
Important skill everyone should have? Balancing work and fun.
Favorite SLOCA Memory? Oaxaca my freshman year.
Favorite hobbies? My favorite things to do are look for snakes and spend time in nature with my friends.
Senior Project: Be Present: A SLO County Snake Field Guide
Katie Ashley
After high school, Katie plans to go to college. She also hopes to backpack through Europe one day.
If you won 1 billion dollars in the lottery, what would you do with the money? Definitely travel everywhere in the world!
What show did you binge-watch embarrassingly fast? The Walking Dead.
What is one important skill every person should have? Conversational skills. The ability to make new friends and talk to people you haven’t met yet is an important one.
Senior Project: Chasing the American Dream: Opportunity or Illusion?
Holden Ashley
After high school, Holden plans to attend college.
How long have you been at SLOCA? 12 years.
Advice for incoming freshmen? Read the books.
What do you love most about SLOCA? The teachers.
Senior Project: Influenced to Inject: The Distortion of the Masculine Image
Sibylla Ridley
After high school, Sibylla plans to go to a four-year college and get a degree in business management.
What do you love most about SLOCA? The teachers and the education it gives. It’s something I will forever be grateful for.
Favorite hobbies? I love to bake, walk, try new coffee spots, and hang out with friends.
What advice do you have for incoming freshmen? Join a club or a sports team. It gives you structure and introduces you so many people and opportunities.
Senior Project: The Roots of a Flourishing Life: Childhood Foundations and Formation
Matthew Oviedo
After high school, Matthew plans to join the military.
You can have an unlimited supply of one thing for the rest of your life. What is it? Baja Blast.
If you won 1 billion dollars in the lottery, how would you spend the money? Help people.
What is one important skill every person should have? Discipline.
Senior Project: What Does it Mean to be a Marine?
Thank you, seniors! Stay tuned for more from the SLOCAHS Class of 2026 in our next, and final, Senior Highlights post!
