Ariana Guido, a senior from Simi Valley, California, transferred to BYU–Hawaii from a junior college in Southern California in 2018. Guido explained she originally came to BYUH to reconnect the distance she felt between herself and her academic journey. This distance, she said, stemmed from the lack of understanding she felt from teachers and peers who were not aware of her religion and values.
“I decided to come to BYUH because I was originally studying at a junior college in Southern California where I lived, and I just felt like I really wanted to go to a school where I felt like my beliefs were understood by my professors because I just felt that disconnect between my professors at my previous school and the students also.”
Guido said it was difficult to have certain classes with professors who didn’t understand her religious views. This, she said, led to some discomfort that began to affect her learning. Eventually, Guido said, she started to consider the idea of coming to BYUH.
“I just felt really special energy about this place and it stuck with me for years. So I applied and I got in. It was actually the only school I applied to.”
Guido decided to continue studying communications and said today’s culture, as well as her previous junior college credits, led her to make that decision. She explained, “In our world, I feel like communications can really translate well into a real job. It was such a great decision because I’ve loved being in this program. I think the communications program is really great here and has a lot to offer.”
Guido’s fiance, Ben Cranney, a senior from California studying communications, said he first noticed Guido in their communications class where they worked alongside each other. After being introduced to each other in 2019, Cranney said he noticed Guido’s work ethic, not only in her school work, but also in pursuing her dreams of acting.
“Somedays she’ll have a bunch of assignments due and her agent will call her and say, ‘I want you to audition for this,’ so she’ll drop everything and get it done. She does such a great job. After that, she still does all of her homework, and it’s just really impressive to me,” explained Cranney.
When looking back at her time spent at BYUH, Guido said the unique atmosphere of the university led to great experiences she could not encounter anywhere else.
“The diversity of BYUH has allowed its students to experience different cultures,” Guido shared. “My roommate and I love to dance and we love to participate in the dance groups, so we were able to perform at Food Fest and that was really fun.
“I just love all the cultural events and Culture Night. Even though we didn’t get to perform this [past] Winter Semester, the rehearsals were such fun and the energy there was just like it. It was awesome. I just love that we bring together so many different kinds of people.”
Guido’s roommate, Emily Hendrickson, a junior from Arizona studying graphic design, said she was able to see firsthand the positive impact Guido has made at BYUH. She said, “Ari is a very hard worker and puts a lot of effort, not only into school, but also into her career and into her friendships.”
Guido said she wanted to express her gratitude for the opportunities BYUH has offered her. She was recently a co-host on a live face-to-face event with Elder Ronald A. Rasband. As a co-host, Guido attributed her studies to helping her prosper in that atmosphere.
She said, “Without my professors and my time in my communications classes, I feel like they really helped me out at that moment. The opportunity to co-host was one of the first accomplishments I was able to relate back to school.”
As a graduating senior, Guido offered advice to current students she said she wished she understood sooner. “I learned how to slow down and appreciate the moment and appreciate what’s around me. I feel like that’s the only thing that balanced out my crazy stress levels when I was trying to get assignments done. I think just being here in Hawaii, it really helped me learn that lesson and I think it’s super valuable.”
Guido expressed how much value was added to her life through connecting with her peers. She said, “Community around you is one of the most important elements of education.”
As for life after graduation, Guido said she is moving back to Los Angeles to continue her professional pursuits.
Despite graduating in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, which Guido said has placed her in a difficult position as opportunities are not as abundant as they once were, she said she remains excited for the future. Guido added she is “pretty hopeful and happy to be done. Almost done.”