Gabriel C. Gozalo Scholarship

The following is a letter submitted by his father (edited):

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Gabriel Christian Gozalo was born April 24, 2004.  His love of music started at a very young age.  When he was 2 years old, myself, his mother and his grandparents were in Indianapolis, IN and we attended a symphony performance of Beethoven's 5th symphony.  We sat in the 2nd row left and he was mesmerized by the string section.

 

During intermission a member of the Orchestra's string section took some time to speak to the impressionable young man and let Gabriel pluck the strings of his violin.  Gabriel was hooked and from that moment, he kept up wanting to learn more and more music and instruments.

 

Gabriel started out scholarly with the violin at Rhoads Elementary School under Dr. Ho Lin Chen.  That was from first grade until 4th grade.  In 5th grade he played the bongo drums with the percussion ensemble also at Rhoads Elementary School.  In 6th grade he was introduced to the Viola by Mayde Creek Junior High School Orchestra where he studied under Mr. Matt Tavilson.  

 

His education continued in Mayde Creek High School with Mr. Andrew Geyssens where he played the Viola.  Gabriel graduated in 2022 from Mayde Creek High School.  Gabriel attended one semester at Southern Adventist University in Chatanooga, TN.  Gabriel was a Spotify verified artist, had a YouTube channel and his music was used in an Anime. 

 

Simultaneously Gabriel played the piano from the age of 4.  Gabriel played music mostly in church but loved to perform anywhere he was asked at a moment's notice.    

 

One of my fondest memories of his performances is when he played on a cruise ship piano in 2012.  He was 8 years old and played "The Entertainer" by Scott Joplin, another is when he played Moonlight Sonata for his grandparents' 60th wedding anniversary in March 2020.  Finally when he played "God Is" by Kanye West at church. 

 

Gabriel tragically died unexpectedly on July 17, 2024 at the tender age of 20 years of an accidental Fentanyl Overdose.  He had never done drugs or drank alcohol.  His exposure was purely accidental.  I saw him 6 hours before he died and to this day I have to find positive sources to deal with my grief.

 

This is where this scholarship opportunity comes about.  Out of my love for Gabriel and with a desire to continue his LEGACY of love of music, it is my intention to alleviate the financial burden of a post high school education by assisting with a scholarship.  Students who apply will be considered.  The selected student(s) will be presented with this scholarship.

 

I would also like to raise awareness through this forum to the true epidemic, the use of Fentanyl.  Our young people are being taken from us with this deadly poison.  Our young people can help keep each other alive by learning the signs of overdose.

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If anyone reading this has been affected by this epidemic, please consider donating to the scholarship fund in their honor.  Your generosity will keep their memory alive. 

 

Thank you,

Marco Gozalo