One memory from a recent summer mission trip to Ghost Ranch in rural New Mexico sticks with freshman Francisco Oliva.
“It was the first time I saw the sky, saw all the stars, and it was awesome,” said the Chicago native.
Oliva was on a prestigious Summer Quest program of the Chicago Public Schools. The school district annually sends students across the globe to experience new cultures.
“I was able to work with the community, helping a local farm that provides food for people in need. You get an experience of living without technology. It was a unique trip, I appreciate going there, and it was a once in a lifetime experience.”
Oliva, a three-sport athlete and valedictorian of John Hancock College Preparatory High School on the southwest side of the Windy City, was not unfamiliar with Wabash when he began his college search.
“I heard good things about this school. A former student from my high school, Juan Diaz ‘10, already goes here. He told me Wabash is a small school in Indiana that has a good reputation. So, I was interested.”
Since coming to Wabash, Oliva has not backed down from any challenges. He is already enrolled in upper-level Political Science and Spanish courses; is a pledge of Tau Kappa Epsilon; and plans to join Unidos por Sangre and Model UN.
Professor of Modern Languages Dan Rogers is already impressed with Oliva in class. “Francisco is exactly the kind of freshman you hope you’ll get when you start a semester,” Rogers said. “He can already hold his own in Spanish 303 – and that’s a rare thing for a freshman to be able to do. Francisco is the kind of Wabash student you expect great things from.”
As for an intended career, Oliva is still undecided but has a few ideas.
“I’m thinking about going into politics, but I would want to go into Mexican politics. I feel like there is a lot of potential in Mexico. I was born there, but moved to the United States when I was young. I am actually still considered a citizen of Mexico. I’m hoping that going to Wabash will help improve my future political leadership skills. But I have also thought about going into teaching. I tutored people in high school, in Algebra and writing in Spanish. I enjoy helping people.”
Oliva has successfully made the transition to being a college student. But as the year progresses, and homework and events pile on, he knows his life will continue to get busier.
“I’m just getting accustomed to the environment; it’s very different from high school. But so far everything is going well. I’m happy here!”
