Angela Gonzalez

I'm an English and journalism major at Bethel University in St. Paul, Minnesota. I enjoy writing adventure and fantasy fiction, reporting on interesting people, creating digital art and doing photography.

During my free time I enjoy rereading Percy Jackson for the 100th time, watching movies until my eyes hurt, chugging Dr. Peppers and spending time with my crazy friends and family.

I hope to one day be a published author, writing YA novels about unique characters.

ROYAL REPORT •

Adoption beyond rose-colored glasses

Aleia Durston (third from the right) takes a photo with her family (not including her four foster siblings) at her older sister’s wedding this past summer. Durston’s family has both adopted and fostered many children, making them a family of 13. “The Lord’s brought us all together in a really unique way.” Durston said. “ And I’m not trying to say that I have been a perfect child. They have also cared for and developed me in all of my woundedness and brokenness.” | Submitted by Aleia Durston Beth
ROYAL REPORT •

The thin line

I have been playing softball since I was 7. I have been an athlete ever since I can remember. Going to practices, team workouts and playing in tournaments in 100-degree weather while the sun beat on the turf, radiating it back onto my body. I have pushed my body to its limits on the mound.

This feeling is a high I will never feel again. As a senior in college, about to graduate in a couple of weeks, I begin to mourn this body.

The body that carried me through college athletics, 18-credit semes
ROYAL REPORT •

The good girl messes up

I came home all rainbows and sparkles. I couldn’t believe the Sunday night I had just had. My crush actually came to the youth group after I invited him. I mean, we got ice cream together after! So it was practically a date! Even though my best friend, her boyfriend, and my two co-worker friends from Culver’s tagged along for the ride…Oh! and I could hardly make eye contact with him for five whole seconds.

I’m the girl who is too afraid to speak aloud in my English classes even though I know mo
ICT News •

A space for representation

This story is part of a partnership between Bethel University’s journalism program and ICT.

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Visitors arrived at Minnesota’s Capitol May 6 to a beat thundering across the granite steps. The sound came from the Bear Runner drum group – seven men circled around a taut drumhead, their clothed mallets creating a welcoming anthem for the annual American Indian Day on the Hill.

Spiritual leader and Lakota tribe citizen Jerry Dearly-Blessing kicked off the event for guests in the Cap
Royal Report •

A blast from the past hits the stage

Bethel students compete for first place with musical acts, which were performed for fellow students at Bethel’s Got Talent Friday.

Aniyah Robertson pats Esther Adeniyi’s shoulder, as Adeniyi fake sobs about how special this song is to her on stage at Benson Great Hall. Laughter ripples throughout the crowd, this is the first act that has had any comedy in it. The duo wear sweatpants with a black and white flannel over a hoodie. Nothing like the dresses, tux
Royal Report •

Swinging right along

Makayla Schmidt, a senior at Bethel University, uses swing dancing as her way to find joy within herself and with others.

Makayla Schmidt quickly shut down her fellow hunting camp counselor’s idea. She was against dancing. That one terrible year of dance classes made Schmidt hesitant, but her friend insisted. He asked for just one chance, one swing dip with Schmidt. In the end, she gave in, just to see if she liked it. Four quick spins and one deep swing dip later, she was breathless from the e
Royal Report •

Living as a Palestinian Muslim in Minnesota

A fifth-grade Leena Darwish watched her friend walk past with his friends. In a split second, she remembers he knows now. He knows her ethnicity.

She brushes the thought away. The two of them were close and had a relationship like Tom and Jerry. They enjoyed pushing each other’s buttons. When nearing him and his gaggle of friends, she knew she wouldn’t be surprised if he cracked a joke at her. Yet, once his joke escaped his mouth, she was taken off guard, almost not believing what he just said.