Exploring algorithms and the social impact of technology. Documenting faith traditions through photography. Lifting the voices and stories of others as a screenwriter. Practicing wellness in unexpected ways. Six Hilltoppers tell us about the opportunities and insights they’re experiencing on the hilltop that are helping them create fuller lives and futures.
乔希·雷卡姆，20岁，计算机科学专业
“In the sciences, it’s easy to develop a theoretical, detached outlook. But behind every technical solution is a human problem or need. 什么圣. 爱德华的 has taught me is that even if you’re not a humanities major, you still need to consider the human aspect of your work. Instead of just learning an algorithm, you need to think about how that algorithm might have ripple effects in people’s lives. St. 爱德华的 does more than acknowledge issues like the social impact of technology — it helps you think deeply about them.”
Ariah Alba ’22, 摄影与媒体艺术
“The courses in my Religious Studies minor have taught me how to ask questions about my own Christian faith as well as other people’s faiths. That was helpful in my Documentary Photography class last spring, when each student chose a specific aspect of Austin life to photograph. I documented faith communities in some of Austin’s non-Christian religions: Buddhism, 伊斯兰教, 犹太教和锡克教. I went to places of worship, all over Austin — mostly taking the bus because I don’t have a car. Every single community welcomed me in a way that made me feel like an invited member of their family. 我的项目, “奥斯丁的崇拜。,’ was included in our class’s exhibition at the Austin 历史 Center, 发现的地方. I hope the people who saw my photographs learned about religions they might not have interacted with before and felt the same human connection to these communities that I did.”
Alex Castillon ’20, 写作与修辞
“My professional goal is to be a screenwriter, and during college I’ve made several short films. 通过校园事工, I’ve participated in 服务中断经历 in Park City, Utah; Bangalore, India; and an Apache reservation in New Mexico. Each trip focused on education and working with children in underprivileged communities that a lot of people don’t even know exist. One of the best discoveries I’ve made is that I can incorporate what I’ve learned on my 服务中断经历 into my writing. ... That’s played a large part in finding my own voice as a writer.”
Tristin Castillo ’20, 刑事司法
“Wellness is more than just the physical aspect. When you think of the spiritual aspect, the Recreation and 体育运动 Center has a tech-free room, which plays soft music and allows for meditation. There are also e-sports, which I’m really into, too. There’s just so many aspects of wellness you can pull into your life that build you up as a person.”
詹姆斯·罗素，20岁，刑事司法专业
“I practice wellness by doing a combination of hobbies that make me happy, while sticking to my work and school schedule. Rugby has always played into my wellness because it’s an escape — no matter how stressful my week has been, I can run hard for an hour straight on the field. 我可以把所有的情绪都发泄出来. I always feel so relaxed and relieved when I walk away from the pitch.”