HCGMU: What is your major?
Gabriel: I’m a government and international politics major with double minors in communication and dance, but I’m thinking about changing my communication minor to anthropology.
HCGMU: Where are you originally from?
Gabriel: That’s a loaded question. I’m a military brat, so I’m from everywhere. So far, it looks like Fairfax is the place I’m going to be living in the longest, so now I guess I can call Mason my home.
HCGMU: What’s an interesting fact about you?
Gabriel: I think everyone knows everything about me. I tend to put everything out there. Ifeveryone I knew got together and sat down, they’d be able to put together a complete picture of who I am.
HCGMU: What organizations are you involved in on campus?
Gabriel: I’m on the student senate, a member of UrbanKnowlogy 101, I’m the public relations chair for Pi Kappa Phi, the president and founder of OMGlee, and a part of the Greek Week Steering Committee 2012. I’m also the student government faculty senate representative, which means I’m the student government’s voice to the faculty senate.
HCGMU: When did you join UrbanKnowlogy 101?
Gabriel: I tried out last spring and didn’t make it in, but I made it through the fall 2011 tryouts.
HCGMU: How was dancing in the flash mob?
It was so much fun and nerve-racking. My family was there and so it was kind of a surprise for them because they didn’t know that I danced. It was a really interesting to get their feedback.
HCGMU: Which UrbanKnowlogy 101 performance were you most excited for?
Gabriel: I was most excited for the one at the AIDS fashion show. I did not make the cut –
you have to make each individual team for each individual performance. It really motivates you to improve as a dancer. I heard the concept for the performance and it just sounded so awesome and creative. We have really good leadership and it’s so sad that a lot of the leaders are leaving soon. I’m just watching them so I can pick up whatever I can. I have ambitions to go into politics, but I also want to become an artist. I want to be able to choreograph, sing, dance and be involved in all things art related.
HCGMU: How was performing in Mason Madness?
Gabriel: The energy was so intense. I walked off the court after the show and had 15 text messages on my phone saying how awesome our performance was. It was a great moment.
HCGMU: How do you balance your life?
Gabriel: Balance has been a process for me. When I was younger I was diagnosed with ADHD, so I’ve had to learn how to manage that part of my life. I decided to keep off meds my freshman year of college, to see if I could balance everything without them. This year has been about focusing on what I want to accomplish in these next 4 years. Right now I feel like I’ve found an equilibrium. I’m very hopeful for the future and I’m very happy everything in my current schedule is working out.
HCGMU: Tell us about your experience with student government.
Gabriel: Student government in college is so much different than student government in high school. It’s no longer about prom. It’s about housing and Internet issues and people coming to you with their real life problems. I feel like I’m making more of a difference, but it has definitely been a learning experience. I really love student government, everyone is so nice. Student government is completely volunteer, and everyone puts there heart into it. I wish people were more aware of how open our office is to helping students with their issues. There’s not as much dialogue as there needs to be between the students and the administration. We want students to feel like they can come to student government and vent about their issues so that we can help.
HCGMU: How do you think greek life has positively impacted George Mason University?
Gabriel: I’ve definitely seen first hand how it can make an individual come out of their shell. The most timid of students become socially active after becoming a part of greek life. It gives the student a chance to form a family at school. Greek life is my number one resource. There’s so many things you pick up in a conversation with someone in greek life, since most greeks are involved in different activities. It’s a massive network.
GCGMU: What do you see in your future with student government?
Gabriel: I’m definitely entertaining the different ways in which I can be of greater help to student government. I am willing to take on greater responsibilities in this organization.
Ultimately that decision lies with the students, regardless of what position I’m seeking. But that’s next year, and I’m focusing on my current involvement.
HCGMU: How does everyone seem to know you?
Gabriel: I’m a very social person, I just genuinely like getting to know new people. By the time I’ve gone, I just hope no one shows up to my funeral feeling salty.