Juvie Edmund Gonzalez
Juvie Edmund Gonzalez '04 is from Williamsburg in New York City. He runs track, builds houses for the poor and is a Big Brother. He also writes poetry and is becoming well-travelled. He came to Wheaton through Posse, a foundation helping urban public school student-leaders to attend selective colleges while promoting cross-cultural communication on campus.
You are part of Wheaton's first Posse. What does the group mean to you?
Juvie Posse is having your group of friends that you can relate to. It's also about reaching beyond the group and bringing new awareness to campus.
You grew up in Williamsburg in Brooklyn. From Brooklyn to Norton, Mass., is a pretty big change.
Juvie It's been crazy. And Williamsburg--I was born there--has changed so much, too. Every time I leave Wheaton to go back it is just a different scene. I think that's what I'm going to do my thesis on, the changes [or so-called gentrification] of New York neighborhoods. Now Williamsburg is cool. Everyone from Manhattan moves in and the rents go crazy. It is really threatening [for the people who have always lived there and can't afford it anymore].
Talk about your work with Habitat for Humanity.
Juvie We've made our chapter pretty successful. We have hooked up with several affiliates in Boston and here in Norton and Providence, and we worked on three houses in Providence. There were probably 30 Wheaton volunteers overall. Even on rainy days we got out there.
How do you feel about doing community service?
Juvie I'm into doing community service and helping people, and I find that so rewarding. Last summer [2001], I went to Mexico with five other peers here from Wheaton [funded through a Wheaton fellowship]. We went for a month to Vera Cruz and built five houses over there in one month. We lived on the beach. And I speak Spanish, which really helped because the other volunteers needed some guidance.
Where are you going for Junior Year Abroad?
Juvie Spain. I'm also planning to go to Japan--to Tokyo--next spring [2003] through IES, the Institute for the International Education.
You are not missing many opportunities.
Juvie No, not at all. I'm trying to get in as much as I can. I also just biked for the AIDS ride in June. It's a 300-mile ride from Bear Mountain to Boston for AIDS awareness fund-raising. My track training helps me with the riding training. I love doing things like that in big groups and sending a message out.
You run track. The rumor is that you train harder than just about anybody. You ran track in high school also?
Juvie No. I think taking chances, doing something new, is the biggest opportunity. You just see if you can do it. I joined the 400-meter crew and run the 400 and 200. I don't sleep much. I try to take advantages of as many opportunities as possible. Last semester [Fall 2001] was crazy--having four classes. I was also with the Big Brother program. It was a group from ages 11 to 15 or so. That was awesome. I also worked in the Lion's Den [coffeehouse].
Why do you want to major in sociology?
Juvie Being from New York, I just enjoy watching the interaction among people, and sociology takes that to a new level. Not that I like labeling things, but broadening your understanding of how society works is important. That's why I'm driving for sociology. It's so much fun.
You are a poet, too?
Juvie Yes. I love it. I have a special poem I wrote for the Posse. I titled it Synergy.
What was the most important thing you learned in high school?
Juvie I had a great teacher, Mr. Robert A. Izzo. He has been a major influence for me. He's like an English professor/high school teacher/leader/professor/father. He told me to stay real. A lot of people talk about being "real." He elaborated on that in terms of a spirit of leadership: being relentless, effective, analytical and logical.
Do you ever feel stretched too thin?
Juvie Sometimes I get to that point, but I pray a lot when I get to that point.
So, do you know what you want to do when you leave here?
Juvie I want to go to graduate school. I want to work for a non-profit organization working with youth, which is a big part of my life. I definitely want to go back to Brooklyn. For now, I want to travel and really understand the world.
What has been the most challenging part of college life so far?
Juvie Keeping organized.