Blakely Dishman
Features Editor
Can you introduce yourself?
I am Mia Villavicencio-Eschinger. I am a senior political science major from Guilford, Connecticut. My pronouns are she/her. Also, I am a Gemini—a proud Gemini.
What are you involved with on campus?
On campus I am a part of Pi Kappa Peanuts, I have the Girls* Room radio show on Woo91 and I am a part of Latinas Unidas. I am also a Senior Intern for the Admissions Office.
What are you passionate about?
I am passionate about human rights, specifically immigration and rights regarding that topic. I don’t know…I am passionate about a lot of things. I am passionate about doing good. And “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” as well as “90 Day Fiance” and “Kath and Kim.” So yeah, lots of passions.
Who is your favorite drag queen?
Okay soooo I have been watching “Drag Race” since 2012, since I was 12, and I have a lot. But, more recently definitely Bimini Bon-Boulash. I love them and think that they are a really great representation of drag. But for the US, I have to say I love Alyssa Edwards. I also love Jinx Monsoon and Katya. I actually went to RuPaul’s first Drag Con in New York City when I was 17. I slept on my friend’s NYU dorm floor. I got to meet Farrah Moan, Kim Chi and Milk. They are all so beautiful, it is not fair.
What is your IS about?
So my IS kind of plays into my passions. I am focusing on the rise and success of the far-right in Western Europe. I will be traveling to Denmark to interview far-right leaders and opposition leaders over winter break. I am focusing on the usage of anti-immigrant sentiment in rhetoric and how it affects the overall success of the far right ideology and electoral success. It is really depressing and disturbing, but as my advisor says, “someone’s gotta do it or else it is going to continue.” And so it is hard work, but it is good work.
Who has acted as a mentor to you on campus?
I am grateful that I have had a lot of mentors over the years. Some include April Gamble in the Admissions Office. I love April, she is always there for me regarding talking about academics, my IS and also she is just there to give life advice and talk about anything. Dr. Leiby has been a great resource, especially this year and last year during the pandemic. I have taken a lot of great classes with her. We share a love for animals and we start off our IS meetings every week showing pictures of our dogs. I am very grateful for both of them.
What is your favorite Wooster memory?
Considering I wasn’t really here last year, that limits me. I’ll say probably IS Monday. I am very excited for IS Monday to come back, because it is just such a vibrant day on campus and I will actually be able to celebrate my own completion! So I think it will be different. I am just excited to see everyone celebrating each other and I am excited to see that in a physical form this year.
Do you have any pets?
Yes! I have my little baby Pearl, AKA Puddin’, AKA Pillsbury DoughGirl, AKA SnackPack. She is a chunky pug who is going to be turning one year old in late January. And she has an instagram: @pearlthechinchillapug. She is just a bundle of sunshine and joy and I love her very much. She is very mischievous and chaotic and just goofy. She is full of love though.
If you were an animal what would you be and why?
So I would be a dog, but a very lazy dog. One that doesn’t do much, maybe in an apartment where I have a nice window that I can lay near and sunbathe in. I’d go on walks, I’d get table scraps, and I’d get lots of scratches. You know I love all dogs, so I do not know what kind of dog I would be. Just any dog.