Who are some of the most important people in your life?

“My brothers and my friends. They’ve always been there for me through the hard times more than anyone else.”

Who is a role model or an inspiration to you?

“I don’t believe in role models. Growing up, I felt I didn’t have someone to look up to so I set my own goals about who I wanted to be.”

What is a goal you’re working towards?

“Helping out the people back home. I’ve been part of a lot of community services and I’ve seen a lot of stuff that makes me think that I’m lucky that I wasn’t a part of it. The reason I came all the way here is to learn whatever I can and try to help them out.”

Was there a moment or a period of time when you realized you knew what you wanted to do?

“We had a ‘major’ class where we had a ‘commerce line’ and a ‘science line.’ You were literally setting up your life in two minutes right there. You had to sign up totally for commerce classes or totally science classes, there was no middle ground. That’s kind of when I decided ‘Okay, that’s where I want to go.’ And then I’ve just gone on based on that decision.”

Any advice for someone who is in a similar position or confused?

“Simple advice: talk to people. Talk to people, but especially talk to people with experience.”

Beneath The Crown was created by Nick Theisen (‘15). It is inspired by Humans of New York (HONY) and aims to bring the community of Gustavus Adolphus College closer together by providing the perspectives of the many different people who live and work at the school.