Name: Maddy Garber
Birth: January 21th 1996
Major: Psychology & Music
Year: Junior
Maddy Garber studies Psychology and Music at Goshen College.
When and where were you happiest?
I am happiest now and have been throughout most of this year. Not because I had less problems than before, but because I started to feel most comfortable in my skin. This didn’t just fall upon me, though, it’s something that I’ve had to work towards for a long time. I have also adopted a different mindset in which I try to remind myself to not take myself so seriously, to laugh at my mistakes, and enjoy the small moments in life.
What was one of the most defining moments in your life?
One of my most defining moments was when I decided to go to Spain. Up until that moment, I had made most of my decisions based on the future and based on my fear of regret. Everything I did was to minimize risk and maximize productivity. Deciding to go to Spain did neither of those things, and was the beginning of my journey into making decisions for myself, not for looking ‘good’ and ‘practical’ to the rest of the world.
If you were president, what is the first thing you would do?
I would grant amnesty to immigrants and begin the process of fixing the criminal justice system.
What does a perfect day look like to you?
A perfect day for me would include dancing, sports for fun, reading, learning about language, long walks with my boyfriend, good food, and good conversations with interesting people.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
I’m pretty uptight and anxious a lot, and tend to stress out about things that haven’t happened yet. So if I could change one thing I would be more relaxed.
QUICK ANSWERS
What do you feel most proud of? The way I’ve been able to look critical at my shortcomings and successfully work to change some of them.
What is your strongest personal quality? The way I listen.
What is a skill you would like to learn and why? The ability to argue.
Which words or phrases do you most overuse? “Perfect” or “definitely.”
What do you consider the most overrated virtue? Practicality
What teacher in school made the most impact on you and why? Mr. Simms – my middle school vice principal. He always told me that I would be the first female president. Even though I realized it was a joke, it taught me to look beyond the scope of the schoolroom and to aim high.
Which historical figure do you most identify with?
The translator of Suite française by Irène Némirovsky, Sandra Smith. I am very fascinated by languages of all kinds, and especially in the art of translation, which is a much more personal and intimate art than simply using word-for-word definitions. In the preface of that book, Smith talks about what led her to translate that specific novel and what translation means to her. You should look it up.
Best childhood memory: Popping popcorn with my dad with the lid off.
What is your most marked characteristic? I’m almost always smiling.
Which living person do you most admire? My grandma.
What is it that you most dislike? Rude/Selfish people.
Greatest fear: Regret.
Favorite place to live: Lancaster or Pamplona.
Favorite occupation: Anything involving connection with people.
Favorite writer: J.K. Rowling or Brandon Sanderson.
Favorite song: Pasos de Cero- Pablo Alborán.