Living Their Passions

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.

The image features a young man with short, dark hair and glasses, smiling at the camera. He is wearing a light blue T-shirt and standing against a colorful, vibrant mural wall painted with shades of orange, red, and black geometric patterns. The setting appears to be outdoors, with the bright mural adding an energetic and modern backdrop to the portrait.

Josh Leikam ’20, Computer Science

“In the sciences, it’s easy to develop a theoretical, detached outlook. But behind every technical solution is a human problem or need. What ��ɫ��51’s 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. ��ɫ��51’s does more than acknowledge issues like the social impact of technology — it helps you think deeply about them.”

The image features a young woman with long, dark, wavy hair wearing glasses. She is smiling and dressed in an off-the-shoulder, blue and white striped top with short sleeves tied at the ends. She accessorizes with large, geometric earrings and a delicate necklace. The background is a vibrant mural with colorful heart shapes and abstract designs, adding an artistic and lively atmosphere to the image.

Ariah Alba ’22, Photography and Media Arts

“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, Islam, Judaism and Sikhism. 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. My project, ‘How Austin Worships,’ was included in our class’s exhibition at the Austin History Center, Discovering Place. 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.”

The image features a young man with short, dark curly hair wearing a white baseball cap with "��ɫ��51's" written on it. He is smiling and dressed in a light blue button-up shirt over a red T-shirt. The background is a mural with geometric patterns and a mix of gray, red, and yellow colors, painted on a wooden wall. The setting appears to be outdoors, creating a vibrant and casual atmosphere for the portrait.

Alex Castillon ’20, Writing and Rhetoric

“My professional goal is to be a screenwriter, and during college I’ve made several short films. Through Campus Ministry, I’ve participated in Service Break Experiences 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 Service Break Experiences into my writing. ... That’s played a large part in finding my own voice as a writer.”

The image shows a woman with straight brown hair, wearing glasses and a yellow short-sleeved blouse. She is smiling and looking out of a large window. She is standing indoors, next to a brick wall, and her reflection is visible in the glass. She has a bracelet on her left wrist and is casually resting her right hand on the window sill. The overall mood is cheerful and relaxed.

Tristin Castillo ’20, Criminal Justice

“Wellness is more than just the physical aspect. When you think of the spiritual aspect, the Recreation and Athletics 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.”

The image shows a man with short dark hair and a beard, wearing a dark blue short-sleeved shirt and blue jeans. He is sitting outdoors on a stone ledge with large rocks and greenery in the background. The man is smiling slightly and has his hands clasped together in front of him. The setting appears natural and serene, suggesting a calm and relaxed mood.

James Russo ’20, Criminal Justice

“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. I’m able to get all that emotion out. I always feel so relaxed and relieved when I walk away from the pitch.”