Speaking only Spanish, and experiencing challenges in adjusting to
a different culture, Toni Gonzalez was an outsider in her early school
years. With few friends, she became introverted, retreating into the
solace of literature and learning about the world.
Today, that desire to learn drives her more than ever. Toni is earning
her masters degree in anthropology at California State University,
Los Angeles. She has achieved deans list honors and selection for a
Golden Eagle Award of Excellence, as well as the prestigious Cotsen
Fellowship in Archaeology.
Tonis interests in archaeology, particularly in the Maya area,
have enabled her to work on prestigious projects, such as the
Programme for Belize Archaeological Project, and the excavation of
several chultuns at the site of Kakabish. Closer to home, she has
conducted ethnographic research on the fusion of American catering
trucks with Mexican street vendors.
With the goal of earning a PhD and teaching at the university level,
Toni currently plans to return to Belize for research that will make
important contributions to her field and bring pride to her alma
mater.