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Juan Aragon

Expected Graduation: May 2023

Major: Instrumental Music Education

What are your hobbies/interests?

I love playing trumpet, guitar and piano. When I’m not playing music, you will probably find me outside hiking with friends or inside watching The Office.

Why did you choose UMD for college?

As a high school senior, I knew I wanted to go to a medium-sized school that wasn’t far from home and had a dynamic Catholic student center. When I first visited UMD, my dad encouraged me to reach out to one of the FOCUS Missionaries to see if I could get a tour of the Newman Center and learn more about the activities hosted there. The first thing this missionary did when I got to the Newman House was take me to the chapel. It was while praying in the chapel that I felt an overwhelming sense of peace pushing me in the direction of UMD. Afterwards, the missionary told me all about the events Newman hosts, and that only solidified my decision of going to UMD.

What is your favorite part about being a part of the BulldogCatholic community?

I cannot think of a single moment when I was at Newman, and I did not feel welcomed. Even when I was there and my immediate friend group wasn’t, there was always someone to talk to because everyone is so friendly and always ready to embrace anyone who walks in.

Why should someone come to a Bulldog Catholic event?

The reasons why someone should come to a Bulldog Catholic event all boil down to one word: community. Ultimately, one becomes the sum of the five people that one surrounds themselves with. Bulldog Catholic provides the opportunity to connect with phenomenal people that will not only befriend you, but will push you to become a saint.

What would you tell a Senior in high school who is looking for the right college?

If you’re a high school senior who is stressed about the future, put that stress in the hands of the Three Persons who can actually do something about it. As CS Lewis said, “Life with God is not immunity from the difficulties, but peace in the difficulties.” Trusting in the Lord is not thinking that the storms will never come, but rather knowing that He is in the boat with us ready to calm the storms at His word. It may sound cliche, but the Lord has a plan, and following it will lead us to where He wants us. He may not offer an immediate answer, but by trusting in Him and praying about it daily, you can rest assured that you will have your answer when you need it.

What is the biggest lesson that you have learned while in college?

“Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” – Ferris Bueller

Who is your favorite Saint and quote from them?

“What really matters in life is that we are loved by Christ, and that we love Him in return. In comparison to the Love of Jesus, everything else is secondary. And without the love of Jesus, everything is useless.” and “Be not afraid! Swing wide the gates to Christ!” – St. John Paul II (He’s an awesome man, with an awesome name, who said a lot of awesome things – I couldn’t pick just one quote)

If you could shrink any animal to puppy-size, what animal would you own?

A puppy… Why have something that only resembles perfection when you can have perfection itself?

If you could have one song play every time you entered a room what would it be, and why?

Johan deMeij’s “Songs from the Catskills” – if you haven’t heard it, look it up, and listen to the first 30 seconds or so. That should provide a sufficient explanation as to why I’d like that song to be played when I enter a room. Either that, or “Crazy in Love” because “I am Beyonce, always” (Michael Scott).

Favorite Memory in college?

My favorite memory in college would definitely have to be going to Israel with FOCUS. Yes, coronavirus threw a huge wrench in our plans, but the Lord’s plan wound up being so much better than what we thought we had signed up for (as tends to happen). I had the opportunity to visit many of the places where Jesus walked with some of my closest friends, and now I have a great story to tell that features unexpected visits to Istanbul and Los Angeles!

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