Malia Metcalfe: Barista

If you’ve ever grabbed a matcha from the Hillcrest Café, you can thank Malia for that! She first brought her personal favorite drink to campus just for herself. A few curious high schoolers asked to try it, then our beloved janitor Jesse made it his regular order—and the rest is history. Matcha officially joined the café menu!

Malia isn’t new to Hillcrest. She attended here from kindergarten through 6th grade and came back in the spring of 2023 to join the café team. What she loves most about working here? “I feel incredibly welcomed and loved here...it’s the people, for me.”

Outside of Hillcrest, Malia works as a sports reporter and photographer for LA teams. On weekends and weeknights, you’ll find her on the sidelines with her camera, capturing unforgettable moments. “Photography is my passion. Every photo has a story and I love capturing the story for others to experience.”

For families, she has one insider tip: “The Covenantal Coffee is your best source of energy to keep up with all the enthusiasm on campus!”

Malia’s Café Favorite: Matcha, which is high school approved, Jesse approved, and now a Hillcrest staple!