Name: James Garcia
Birth: July 26th 1995
Major: Biochemistry
Year: Senior
James Garcia, senior, has been part of the Leadership Program for the last four years.
When and where were you happiest?
I was happiest at my service location in Cusco, Peru. I had a service assignment that felt meaningful, a family that treated me like their own son, and great friends to enjoy the city of Cusco with.
What was one of the most defining moments in your life?
Deciding to transfer high schools after my freshman year. If I hadn’t transferred, I would not have been as successful academically, socially, athletically, and I would have never heard of Goshen College.
If you were president, what is the first thing you would do?
Decrease military spending and use that money to fix the current education system. I believe Teachers should be paid better, schools in underserved areas deserve more funding, and that higher education should be more affordable.
What does a perfect day look like to you?
A sunny 70-degree day with just enough commitments where you feel accomplished after doing them but not so many that you feel stressed out during.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
I tend to doubt myself. I would like to be a more decisive and confident person.
QUICK ANSWERS
What do you feel most proud of? Attending medical school in the fall.
What is your strongest personal quality? I like to think I’m pretty sociable.
What is a skill you would like to learn and why? Improv. I feel like it’ll come in handy in a lot of situations.
Which words or phrases do you most overuse? I use the phrase “you know?” way too much.
What teacher in school made the most impact on you and why? My English teacher in high school because he allowed me to realize I have the academic potential to do well in school.
Best childhood memory: Attending elementary school in Japan and making life-long friends.
What is your most marked characteristic? I’m a driven person.
Which living person do you most admire? Any person who tirelessly fights to fix systemic social issues.
What is it that you most dislike? Self-centered people.
Greatest fear: Not finding a passion.
Favorite place to live: California.
Favorite occupation: Physician.
Favorite writer: Fyodor Dostoyevsky.
Favorite song: Dancing in the Moonlight by Toploader.