Two freshman student-athletes at Carson High School (CHS) are proving that ambition, curiosity and perseverance can open extraordinary doors. Meshaila De La O and Zaylie Aguilar, CHS volleyball players and marketing students, recently secured an exclusive interview with Karch Kiraly, U.S. Men’s National Team head coach and widely regarded as the greatest volleyball player of all time.
The opportunity came as part of a passion project in Mr. Downing’s marketing class, where they explored the topic of performance psychology.
Kiraly’s legacy in the sport is unmatched. As the only athlete to win Olympic gold medals in both indoor and beach volleyball, and as a championship coach, he has shaped the game across generations. For two student-athletes to connect directly with such a figure is a rare and remarkable accomplishment, one that highlights both their initiative and the real-world potential of student-driven learning.
What began as a class assignment quickly evolved into an unforgettable experience. Tasked with diving deeper and bumping into performance psychology—the mental and physical strategies athletes use to perform under pressure—Meshaila and Zaylie took a bold approach: they reached out to one of the most accomplished minds in volleyball history. And their efforts paid off.
During the interview, Kiraly shared insights on focus, resilience and the mindset required to succeed at the highest level. For Meshaila and Zaylie, the conversation brought their classroom learning to life, reinforcing key principles of mental preparation and personal growth.
Beyond the interview itself, the project left a lasting impression. Both students reflected on how the experience changed their perspective, not just on athletics, but on what they are capable of achieving.
“This showed us that if you take initiative and put yourself out there, you can do really cool things,” Meshaila shared. “We never thought something like this would actually happen,” said Zaylie.
Their story serves as a powerful example of experiential learning in action. By combining marketing skills, personal passion and academic inquiry, Meshaila and Zaylie demonstrated that meaningful opportunities often come to those willing to try and put in effort. As they continue their journeys both on and off the court, one thing is clear: they are ‘setting up’ to ‘serve’ their local community something special.
