Pacifica Stories

For Minnie Carr ’28, days often begin long before the school bell rings and on an unconventional place: the ice. A competitive figure skater for more than a decade, Minnie spends countless early mornings (and long afternoons) training at the rink, pouring her whole heart into a sport she has loved since she was five years old. At Pacifica Christian High School, she has found something rare: a school willing to meet her where she is, support her passion, and help her grow into who she is becoming.

A sophomore, Minnie balances a full academic schedule at Pacifica while training year-round as a competitive figure skater. Her competition season spans roughly half the year, with the remaining months devoted to preparation and training for what’s next. It’s a demanding rhythm that many schools struggle to accommodate. “When we heard about Pacifica, it was different," she shares. At Pacifica, Minnie was able to work closely with faculty and administrators to adjust her schedule, allowing her to train during free periods while still attending school five days a week.

But flexibility alone isn’t what has defined Minnie’s experience; it’s the community that has surrounded her.

At Pacifica, Minnie is involved in JCL (Junior Classical League), has begun exploring STEM opportunities, and is eager to get involved in MAP and ASG. She speaks often about the kindness of her peers and the genuine care of her teachers. “Not only are the kids kind,” she says, “but the staff genuinely cares about all the students they teach. Teachers share more about Christ in a supportive way and comfort students who haven’t branched out socially yet.”

That sense of being seen and supported has extended deeply into Minnie’s spiritual life as well. One of her favorite classes has been New Testament with Ms. Comer, a class that helped her connect faith and life in a new way. “She helped me learn more about God in ways I hadn’t thought of yet,” Minnie says. “She is genuinely the sweetest teacher I’ve ever had.”

Another formative moment came through a conversation with Mr. Kong, who helped Minnie navigate a season of personal decision-making and reflection. “He helped me see that I was more than just skating and school, but that I am my own person too,” she reflects. “He prayed over me, and I felt the love of God in the room.”

For Minnie, skating itself has also been a place of deep relational growth. She has trained under the same coach for years alongside her childhood best friend, Reilly, and describes her skating community as family. “While I love skating, the friends I’ve made make it more than just a sport,” she says. “It’s a place where I found people who care about me so much.”

That same truth carries into her life at Pacifica. One of her favorite memories took place at Young Life camp, when as a freshman, she volunteered for a strength competition during a field game. Winning the challenge and being lifted onto her teammates’ shoulders, Minnie recalls, was the moment she truly felt like she belonged. “Even being newer to the school, they treated me like I’d been there for so long... It is my fondest memory, feeling welcomed and like I was one of them for the first time."

As she looks ahead, Minnie hopes to pursue skating shows after high school not just as a job, but as an expression of her passion. She’s also considering a future in law, confident that the education she’s receiving at Pacifica is preparing her well for whatever comes next.

“I’ve learned that I thrive when I’m surrounded by friends who grow me, not tear me down,” Minnie says. “Every friend I’ve made at Pacifica has been a blessing from God.”

Minnie’s story reflects something at the heart of Pacifica’s mission: educating the whole person. By honoring her calling, adjusting her schedule, and walking with her academically, spiritually, and relationally, Pacifica has created space for Minnie not just to succeed, but to flourish, both on and off the ice.