PC student Leo Gonzales recently returned from Olympia where he participated in the Transforming Lives Awards dinner, which celebrates the achievements of students in Washington’s 34 community and technical colleges. Get to know Leo and find out what made him Peninsula College’s nominee in this month’s blog.
Leo Gonsalez, 2019 Transforming Lives Awards Nominee
At 22, it feels like I’ve already lived a lifetime. Not because of all the joyful moments, but because of the difficult ones. I had grown up in a broken family, had been diagnosed with testicular cancer during my senior year of high school, developed PTSD as a consequence of the two, and found myself homeless with terrible health. I thank God for the adversity he gave me because it forced me to see what was most important in life.
When I first enrolled at Peninsula College I was living couch to couch, doing my best to pick up the pieces of the past and make ends meet. I had to keep moving. Learning, reading and studying have always given me refuge from my surroundings. they allowed me to dream about the things that I could become, do and be while sitting in shambles. I took the steps toward my future, and I walked in the front doors of the college and enrolled. In my first quarter, my English instructor and someone I now consider family, Ms. Glynda Peterson-Schaad, never failed to remind me what was most important in life. She pushed me to become a better thinker, reader and writer—and also reminded me what values, principles and philosophies are common among successful individuals. Glynda spoke compassionately and sometimes bluntly. I have at times had a hard time heeding her advice because, as one of Carl Jung’s axioms explains, “That which you need most is in the place where you least want to look.” After stabilizing my life, finding a place to live and having money in my pocket, I was given the chance to be a part of an excellent basketball team at PC. I’d like to thank my Coach, Donald Rollman, for that. He has allowed me to be a part of something greater than just myself. Working towards the goal of becoming NWAC champions with him, the assistant Coach George Hill, and my teammates, have given me a deeper sense of meaning at Peninsula College. It feels like family.
People always ask, what do you want to do in life? I don’t think that’s the right question to ask. I think a better question is, who do you want to be? I want to look back in life and know that what I did was helpful to the world around me. I feel like this is the best way to live your life. When you know that what you’re doing benefits those around you, it is an endless source of satisfaction and motivation. After graduating from Peninsula College, I plan to join the United States Military. I want to be a part of that team who works tirelessly to end terrorism and maltreatment throughout the world. There is no better cause to contribute to. If allowed, I’d like to be a medic. Someone that other people can count on to be steady, brave and knowledgeable when it will matter the most. Afterwards, I’ll complete medical
school to become a doctor. A doctor who takes the approach of solving health problems for the long term betterment of his patients.
If you don’t know what to do, just put one foot in front of the other. Community and technical colleges have excellent instructors who want you to succeed. This can be a small step toward your aspirations. Education is the most powerful tool you have. Stay grateful, keep dreaming, and at the end of your day, remember that no one can ever take away how you respond to a situation.
