No Limits

Calel Olicia-Aramboles ’24 has been an explorer from the start. Because of his 
father’s Army career, his family moved to many states while he was growing up. “I always tried to escape from the house, which confused my mom,” Olicia
Aramboles, who is deaf, said through an American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter. 

“I was an exploratory person who wanted to see all these places. I was curious.” His inquisitive nature brought him to University of Redlands, where he is an international relations major and running back on the football team. “This feels like the right place for me, especially since classes are smaller,” Olicia-Aramboles said. 

Olicia-Aramboles arrived at Redlands knowing he was interested in studying and 
having an internship abroad, and one of his goals is to travel to Australia and New 
Zealand. He wants to start a program where athletes with and without disabilities 
form teams and travel the world to play matches. This would give participants “new 
perspectives,” Olicia-Aramboles said.

“We always have to educate ourselves and rise up to the next level.”

He’s long had the travel bug; a natural athlete, Olicia-Aramboles grew up 
playing eight sports, and would often hit the road with his teams for games and 
tournaments. While attending the California School for the Deaf in Fremont, Olicia
Aramboles participated in an international studies program, and traveled abroad for 
the first time, visiting England and France.

At home, he is doing his part to share with the community his culture and what it 
is like to be a deaf individual in a hearing world. He visits schools and colleges and 
participates in panel discussions, and also provides one-on-one ASL tutoring and is 
an aide for an ASL instructor.

"I really enjoy it, especially working with students and seeing how they gain more confidence,” he said. “You can see their progress.” Olicia-Aramboles also recently showcased his acting skills, appearing in the University’s College Tour episode.

“It was a fantastic experience,” he said. “The script was interesting and allowed the audience to see what I do. It was really fun to be able to change things and ad-lib and make adjustments as necessary.”

One thing Olicia-Aramboles won’t do is set limits for himself, and that’s why he is 
so open to having new experiences.

“It’s important to have the right mindset and take initiative,” he said. “Whatever opportunities present themselves, take them. You will go farther and get closer to your goals.”

Watch the University’s College Tour episode, "A Life of Meaning and Impact," featuring Calel Olicia-Aramboles ’24.