Senior Spotlight: Zhyrie and Tamariona Lift Each Other Up at Capital High, All the Way to Graduation

Capital High School’s graduation was still three weeks away when seniors Zhyrie Lofton and Tamariona Winzer jokingly schemed ways to sit next to each other during the ceremony. The alphabetical order seating would place them on opposite sides of the room.

“I’ll change my name to Lhyrie Zofton that day,” Lofton laughed.

The two best friends met in middle school in a nearby school district. Even when Lofton moved out of state for a few years, they immediately bonded when they reunited at Capital High last year.

“You need somebody to lean on. Everybody says they don't need anybody, but you need at least one person who really gets you,” Lofton said. 

Both plan to attend Madison College this fall, after already receiving college-level credits in math and English at the school through a dual-credit program. Inspired by her aunt and a family friend, Lofton wants to become a realtor. Winzer wants to study phlebotomy. 

Their friendship has been a major motivator in their academic success. They encouraged each other to keep up their attendance and turn in homework assignments, and uplift each other's strengths and confidence. 

“We see what the other one can’t see in themself,” Winzer and Lofton both said, ending the sentence in almost perfect unison. 

When Winzer shared she earned a scholarship from the organization Rubin for Kids, Lofton jumped in adding “she’s such a good student, she so deserved it.” Winzer also received an Outstanding Young Person Award at the 2024 Martin Luther King, Jr. Youth Recognition Breakfast.

While Winzer has a passion for math, Lofton thrives in English class. Her Intro to College Reading and Writing teacher, Erin Beehner, has been one of her biggest supporters.

“She’s always there for me. She knows my mood right away, when I'm up and when I'm down and how to best support,” Lofton said.

Both seniors also credit family liaison Tanisha Milligan and counselor Marianne Matt with their success—even though Matt was the one to break the news they wouldn’t be sitting next to each other at graduation. No matter the seating chart, the two know to look on the bright side.

“Just stay positive, even when things aren't going your way, you still have to stay positive,” Lofton said. “It’s when you think negatively that things can really go downhill.”