Mariapaula Gonzalez ’22

My name is Mariapaula Gonzalez and I am a current freshman at New York University studying Sociology and Politics. During this project, I was able to sharpen my research skills while maintaining the mentality that this project held greater importance than pure research and discovery. Personally, I perceived this opportunity as a way to expand the accepted narrative of the foundation of the Loomis Chaffee institution through unveiling the lives of some individuals enslaved by our founders. Most of our work delved into the unknown — what we couldn't quite grasp — which is why we structured this to become a continuous project and opportunity for other students to carry on. We were also conscious of the fact that a historical narrative as profound as this one would not be uncovered in just a year. Not only was I able to work alongside faculty and classmates I admire and respect, but I was able to immerse myself into a passion for history and research. As a result, this project is one of the reasons I chose sociology as one of my majors, and I am endlessly grateful for the opportunity.