By Joh Covington Skyline Reporter

Earlier this spring semester, which now feels a lifetime ago, the Skyline asked students about their childhood dreams. For many, plans have changed over the years as they trade one ambition for another: A common exchange was the “dream: for the “realistic.” Over time, we learn more about the world and how we want to participate in it and, although most of us won’t become that astronaut or ballerina, our futures are still up to us. The Skyline thanks all of the Lobos who participated and wishes you all the best for your future endeavors.

Questions were posed to a random sampling of SRSU students in various freshman- and sophomore-level classes.  The questions posed were:

1. As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
2. What are you pursuing now as a young adult?
3. What changed and why?

The answers we received were heartwarming and humorous. Looking back upon our younger selves is a wonderful part of growing up and joining the “real world.” Nostalgia can remind us that, no matter how much we change and experience, the little kid with big dreams is still a part of our identity. Here are a few of the responses.

“When I was little, I wanted to be a storm-chaser and track down tornadoes. I stopped wanting to be one once I realized tornadoes are scary. I am now studying to be an accountant. I was about 8 years old when I decided to pick a different career path. I want a nice cushy job in a big city. I don’t want to be stuck in Nebraska chasing giant deadly wind tubes.”

-Dylan Castillo | Alpine, TX | Sophomore

“When I was a little kid, I wanted to be a professional football player. Now that I’m older, I still have hope for that plan, but I want to graduate college and perhaps become a pediatrician. Once I had reached midway through high school, I had to think more realistically. My aspirations changed because I realized that my athletic abilities can only last so long but gaining knowledge will last me a lifetime. Having a sense of security with a job I would enjoy would be worth giving up being a professional athlete.”

-Isaiah Villarreal | El Paso, TX | Sophomore

“When I was a kid, I wanted to be a writer. I wanted to write super novels like J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter. Now that I’m older, I still want to be a writer; I just don’t want to write novels anymore. Perhaps becoming a columnist or TV series writer is in my future. I realized my dream was different when I saw that I work better in somewhat shorter terms. Trying to continue a story seemed almost impossible. My aspirations changed when I saw that I was a strong writer throughout high school. Even my longer papers seemed to be graded well and enjoyed, even if I thought the topic was boring.”

-Maddie Chase | Alpine, TX | Sophomore

“I wanted to be a hero as a kid, someone who saved the day like a soldier or a star in a movie. Now, I want to do work that sustains my family, work I enjoy, and glorifies God. These hopes and dreams changed when I got into high school and had realizations. When we are young, we are encouraged to do anything we dream, but, later in high school, we are told to do what is realistic.”

-Andrew DeLeon | Roscoe, TX | Junior

“What did I want to be as a child? Veterinarian. What are my aspirations now? Humane educator. I realized about seven months ago, after I took a summer job as a vet tech, that my passion for animals was being misplaced into the veterinary career and that I would feel much more fulfilled pursuing a career as a humane educator.”

-Victoria Romo | El Paso, TX | Senior

“I wanted to be a veterinarian. Today, I really like photojournalism. My mind changed when I started the animal science program here at Sul Ross. I realized that I didn’t want the same thing anymore and I had a greater interest in photography. I think I changed career paths because, as a kid, I thought I would just become a vet and help some animals, but, when I had to decide on what would make me happier, I chose communications as my new major.”

-Abigail Elizondo | El Paso, TX | Junior

“When I was younger, I dreamed about becoming a fashion designer. Now that I’m an adult, I want to become an events coordinator and eventually start a nonprofit for dyslexic students back home. I knew my future career path changed when I got to high school. While there, I started planning events through my school and loved doing all the decoration, setting up, and seeing everyone enjoy.”

-Anais Soliel Gomez | El Paso, TX | Freshman

“When I was a kid, I wanted to be a police officer. As an adult, I want to be a physical therapist. I changed direction when I was about 8 years old and went to therapy for my ankle. Ever since then, I’ve wanted to help people get better.”

-Alyssa Marie Salles | El Paso, TX | Freshman

“I wanted to be a video game developer/maker as a child. I didn’t know what they were, but I knew I wanted to do it. Now, I just want to be all-around competent “Jack of all trades/master of none.” I don’t mind what I do for a living. When I met real people who made me feel loved, this made me realize my philosophical theory was correct, and this inspired supportive roundness in my choice. Due to my definition of success changing, “career” was no longer included, but human happiness was left. There’s nothing spectacular I can achieve that won’t one day return to dust and that goes for all of us. All you really need is love.”

-Matthew Field | Alpine, TX | Freshman

Edited for clarity