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| Jacque Lenz | Chief Photographer |
| Senior information systems
and marketing major Joel Edwards relaxes in the Student Ambassadors
lobby of the JET building. |
by Kelly Garren
Intern Writer
Joel D. “Poster Boy” Edwards, a junior at Appalachian
State University, is highly influential and respected by students
and members of the community alike for his leadership skills and
multiple involvements both on and off campus.
A graduate of Watauga High School's class of 2001, Edwards was born
and raised in Vilas, on the outskirts of Boone.
In addition to being a full time student and double majoring in
computer information systems and marketing, Edwards is tour coordinator
for the Appalachian Student Ambassadors, Servant Team Leader of
Alliance College Fellowship and a resident assistant in Gardner
Residence Hall.
He teaches swim lessons and helps coach the Watauga County Swim
Club. On top of all this, Edwards is an aspiring professional magician
and has conducted several shows on campus.
Edwards’ busy schedule didn’t start when he came to
ASU; he was highly involved at WHS. In addition to his regular class
schedule Edwards was a valued member of the WHS swim team.
His swimming career was dampened after a severe car wreck midway
through his senior year, but despite the "mental damages,"
Edwards said he was captain of the team that year.
Edwards joined The Playmakers, a highly competitive, audition-only
theater program. Roughly 100 students auditioned for the team but
only a dozen were lucky enough to make it.
“The Playmakers was a blast,” Edwards said. “We
took our play to competitions and actually won the highest ranking
which was quite an honor.”
Edwards earned an award for best actor in the fall of 2000.
Edwards currently serves on the executive committee for the Ambassadors
and exercises his leadership qualities as a tour coordinator.
Ambassadors is a student-led organization renowned for their dedicated
work with the Alumni Association, University Admissions, the Office
of the Chancellor as well as being responsible for making incoming
and prospective students feel at home at Apppalachian.
Despite his natural leadership skills, Edwards said he felt he was
not challenged enough until his induction into the Ambassadors last
February.
“The Ambassadors has really given me a chance to grow in so
many areas of my life,” Edwards said “I’ve never
been given this much responsibility or been this accountable to
anyone before this point. I have learned to strive for excellence
and not quit until I have achieved it. I consider myself very blessed.”
Edwards recently began his time consuming and mentally taxing job
as an RA in Gardner Hall. He plans to continue being an RA in Mountaineer
Apartments next year.
In addition to his contributions to ASU, Edwards has been highly
involved with his home church, Alliance Bible Fellowship. Edwards,
along with Brent W. Wright, a recent ASU graduate, began a non-denominational
Christian group called Alliance College Fellowship. As Servant Team
Leader Edwards works hard with several adults and students, leading
meetings and coordinating events for the college students and helping
ensure the group continues to stay in good club standing.
One of Edwards’s favorite hobbies is magic. Edwards got his
start with simple card and coin tricks eight years ago and has continued
to hone his skills as a professional entertainer. Edwards explains
that the key to successful magic is simplicity.
“Magic is about making the impossible look possible. If you
are going to achieve this effect you have to perfect your performance,”
Edwards said. “The easiest way to do this is to perform simple
tricks. Your audience, whether on stage or passing in the street
will be just as amazed if you can pull their card out of their pocket
than if you can make an elephant disappear.”
“The only way you will succeed in a career in magic is if
you love what you do. Remember to stay simple and most of all have
fun,” Edwards said.
Edwards has performed several times on campus and has more shows
lined up at different universities later this month.
Edwards is affectionately picked on by his friends as being an overachiever,
but Edwards says the reason he does all these things is not merely
for his own personal fulfillment.
“The reason I do these things is because I have a real heart
for reaching college students,” Edwards said. “This
is the time in their life when they’ll be become who they
will be for the rest of their lives. These are the best ways for
me to meet people and make the most impact.”
After he graduates, Edwards hopes to take the road less traveled
and pursue a career in magic for a few years before finally settling
down.
“I don’t want to just chase my dreams,” Edwards
said “I want to live them. What better time to do that than
right after college while I’m still young.
"No regrets.” |
