SEPTEMBER 3, 2021 — Gabriel De Leon is a senior in the UTSA Department of Communication. He chose the university because he dreams of being in South Africa and working in a nature preserve.
“I want to go to South Africa and be a ranger or safari guide,” De Leon said. “I have always loved animals and while it’s nice to see them in zoos, it’s even better to see them out in the wild. To be free.”
De Leon has an unlikely hero: the late TV personality and conservationist Steve Irwin, known as “The Crocodile Hunter.”
“I want to go help save animals and I liked watching Steve Irwin on Animal Planet. He was an inspiration,” De Leon explained.
To achieve his goal, De Leon has leaned on his foster parents. Since the age of three months, he’s been under the care of a single foster family.
“I have never known another parent and to me they are my real parents,” De Leon said. “I have no desire to find the other people. I’m glad they gave me up because I wouldn’t be here right now.”
De Leon currently serves as a peer mentor within the UTSA Fostering Educational Success Center, where he meets first-year or transfer students from the foster system and guides them in their own collegiate experience.
“I needed help when I was in their situation," De Leon said, "so it’s about paying it forward.”
De Leon also takes advantage of the services UTSA offers to the foster care student community. He’s secured financial help to help cover unexpected medical bills, and he’s received assistance securing on-campus living accommodations.
Today, life is good. Back home in Victoria, Texas, De Leon pursued a summer internship with the Victoria Generals, the city’s baseball team.
He also dedicates his time to making music based on the 1960s and 1970s. He credits UTSA for allowing him the opportunity to explore and eventually minor in music production. At home, he’s built a music studio with two keyboards where he has produced several compositions.
Andrew Bergmann, director of the music technology program in the UTSA Department of Music, has guided Gabriel in further exploring the genre.
“Given that I’m a huge fan of this period of music myself—and that not very many students are exploring these styles these days—it made for a really rewarding and fun teacher-student partnership,” Bergmann said. “Gabriel made several pieces in this vein, pushing himself as a singer, pianist and songwriter while also learning and perfecting the recording and mixing techniques that help define the sonic qualities of songs from this period. Gabriel clearly has a bright future making new music with a classic sound.”
Taking a trip to South Africa from San Antonio is a 34-hour flight, but De Leon is not deterred. Despite the fact that he was raised in the small town of Victoria, which according to the 2019 Census only has 67,000 people, he is intent on going to South Africa, which is home to more than 59 million people. De Leon is a methodical student and is not daunted by the populous country.
Prior to entering UTSA, De Leon first enrolled at San Antonio College, a smaller campus that would help him adjust to San Antonio—a bigger city than Victoria. Once he was ready to choose a bigger school, he opted for UTSA.
Now, as this UTSA senior approaches his last year at the university, he plans to work for one year after graduation. He wants to raise funds and apply to the South African Wildlife College. He’s already contacted the college to inquire about admission requirements and is looking into getting his passport.
“You don’t have to stay within the means of what they say that you are—a foster kid,” De Leon said. “You’re really not, you are a human. You’re your own person. Being a foster kid doesn’t change that.”
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