Benji Pomonis ʼ21 loves to live fully in the present, finding joy in the little things and embracing whatever the day brings. He believes life is best enjoyed with energy and enthusiasm, and he does his best to approach every experience with curiosity and an open mind.
Q: What did you want to be when you were small?
A: Soccer was always something that all of my family was very passionate about, especially when I was younger, which is what made me want to become a professional soccer player.
Q: If you could live in a different country for a year, which country would you choose?
A: I was born in Colombia, but I have not been able to go back since I was adopted as a baby. That would be where I would choose to not only connect with my home country but also explore a beautiful country.
Q: What are the three values you treasure most in a friendship?
A: Trust allows you to truly be yourself, and when it is mutual it creates a space for more joy, creativity and real companionship. Support allows you to feel like you’re not alone, making it easier to face life’s curveballs. Humor breaks down walls, building a shared language and shared memories, which makes hard times less difficult and good times unforgettable.
Q: Aside from necessities, what is one thing you could not go a day without?
A: I couldn’t go a day without music. Whether I’m waking up, working or winding down, there’s always a song that fits my mood. It keeps me grounded, inspired and connected to something bigger than myself.
Q: What's your favorite family tradition?
A: Every summer since I can remember, my extended family on my mom's side gets together somewhere in northern Minnesota for about a week. When I was younger, our extended family was much smaller, which meant we all were able to see each other more often. Now that we are all older, my older cousins are starting to have families of their own, which means they are more spread out and it's harder to get everyone together. The fact that our extended family is now up to about 50 people but can still find a time to get to the same place is something I find to be very special.
Q: What teacher inspired you the most? How?
A: During my sophomore year of high school at Blake, my English teacher was Kate Nichols. I had never been a very good writer up until I had her as a teacher. She was able to unlock a more creative side to writing that made me feel much more confident not just as a writer but as a student as a whole. At this point, I was also just starting to explore my passion of wanting to become a teacher, and she created a classroom environment that would be productive when it needed to be but also a space where everyone, including her, could get to know each other better. This environment became an important aspect of what I want my future classroom to look like.
Q: What do you miss most about being a kid?
A: What I miss most about being a kid is being able to live more in the moment. Back then, I wasn’t constantly thinking about the future or stressing over responsibilities. Life felt simpler, and I could just enjoy things as they happened without overthinking.
Q: If you are outside, what are you most likely doing?
A: If I’m outside, I’m most likely doing something active. Whether it’s going for a run, playing a sport or just walking around. I love moving my body and staying energized. Being active outdoors helps me clear my head and feel more alive.
Q: It has been said that everyone gets 15 minutes of fame. What happened during your 15 minutes?
A: During my sophomore year of college, I joined an intramural soccer team made up of other sophomores, juniors and seniors. I worked my way into the starting lineup and when our team made it to the championship game at the end of the season, my whole team trusted me to be the final penalty kick taker in the shootout. There must have been 200 students watching the game as I scored the game winning goal and as my team swarmed me in celebration.
Q: What is the first thing you think of when you wake up in the morning?
A: The weather. I always check if it's sunny, rainy or cloudy because it sets the tone for my whole day. It helps me decide what to wear and what kind of energy to bring.