Declan: Hello, amazing readers! This month please welcome the 18-year-old native of New Mexico: Josiah Cleveland!
Josiah: Hi.
Declan: Hello, what classes are you taking this year and what’s your grade?
Josiah: AP Environmental Science with Dr. Gathany, English 4/5/6 Western Lit with Mrs. Yagel, and I am a junior in highschool.
Declan: Cool, where do you live and do you have any pets?
Josiah: I live in Las Cruces, New Mexico, two dogs, four cats, and four chickens.
Declan: Same number of chickens as cats. Interesting. How about siblings?
Josiah: I have eight siblings, five brothers and three sisters.
Declan: That’s a lot. Where are you in age order?
After some finger counting and coming to the realization that 3+6 does not equal 8, we continued.
Josiah: I am the fifth.
Declan: Cool, what’s the weirdest food you’ve ever eaten?
Josiah: Probably cow tongue, it was surprisingly good. I was the only one of most of my siblings who would try it.
Declan: That is an interesting food. Do you play an instrument?
Josiah: Yeah, I mainly play trombone, which I have played for about 11 years. I also play bass guitar, piano, and baritone.
Declan: Impressive, do you play any sports?
Josiah: No, and that’s pretty much the end of that answer. But I used to do taekwondo. I made it to second degree black belt; all but one of my family, including my parents, got their black belts.
Declan: Okay, so I should try and not annoy you. Who is someone you look up to? This does not just mean someone who’s taller than you.
Josiah: My pastor: he is a very good pastor. He is also taller than I am but that’s not why I look up to him.
Declan: Nice, what kind of personality do you have?
Josiah: I don’t have a personality. (Laughs) Actually I like to find amusement in everything–that’s how I deal with things. I don’t get stressed out. I am immature but responsible.
Declan: Quite the oxymoron. What’s on your bucket list?
Josiah: I really want to be a storm chaser, so chase a tornado and be in a hurricane. I really really want a snake, but my mom won’t let me get it. Also, meet a bunch of famous people, go sky diving, capture the kraken, and learn to tread water.
Declan: Nice list. What are some of your favorites?
Josiah: Snakes, purple, Diet Pepsi, Pirates of the Caribbean, chicken enchiladas, tacos, chips and salsa, “Cherry Berry on a Cloud” (it’s a type of cake that’s not a cake and it melts in your mouth), Brandon Sandersons’ the Stormlight Archive, humor in general, 21 Pilots (along with other bands like them), Thanksgiving, and “The Camel Song” by Slugs and Bugs.
Declan: Okay, now least favorites?
Josiah: Bell peppers, fire ants, and just because people talk about her so much—not because I have even heard her music—Taylor Swift, and the Artemis Fowl movie because they butchered it.
Declan: Nice, do you have any hobbies?
Josiah: I play a lot of music, playing airsoft with friends, working out, collecting Pokémon cards, and easy hiking.
Declan: Cool, do you have any fun Christmas traditions?
Josiah: We do Pepsi Day around here as a family tradition in honor of my great grandpa’s favorite drink. We open presents one at a time going around in age order, it takes hours.
Declan: Sounds fun. Do you have a cool quote?
Josiah: When people call me crazy, I say: “Crazy people don’t know they’re crazy. I know I’m crazy, therefore I’m not crazy, isn’t that crazy?” The one who said it is none other than Captain Jack Sparrow.
Declan: Good one. Any short funny stories? I don’t have enough words for a long funny story.
Josiah: You have a Walmart where you live right?
Declan: Yes?
Josiah: My neighbor is responsible for the pet section. He complained to an employee that they need to carry dog food. It turned out that that employee was actually Sam Walton (founder of Walmart). You just need to complain to the right people.
Declan: That’s cool. Would you rather mountain climb or bungee jump?
Josiah: Bungee jump because you are supposed to fall. In mountain climbing, you fall—you’re dead.
Declan: Okay good point. If you could live in a book, which book would you pick?
Josiah: The Stormlight Archive because there are cool super powers that anyone can get.
Declan: Nice, now it’s time for what I call the lightning round.
Josiah: Let’s go.
Declan: First, chocolate ice cream or vanilla cake?
Josiah: Chocolate ice cream.
Declan: Next, Batman or Superman?
Josiah: Batman, but Marvel over DC.
Declan: In that case, Thor or Iron Man?
Josiah: Thor, because he landed in my state.
Declan: Good pick, deep space or deep ocean?
Josiah: Deep ocean.
Declan: Okay, what’s your favorite Bible verse?
Josiah: John 3:16.
Declan: That’s a good one. Have any fun facts about you?
Josiah: I am fun, I am big, and I am not scared of heights, just falling from them. I have this great idea that I will travel the world to try exotic food when I am rich and can travel. The first thing will be a cow brain and eyeball taco. I make pink look cool.
Declan: Nice, bye Josiah!
Josiah: See you later!
Photo Credit: Josiah Cleveland
Don’t get roped into Taylor Swift Josiah 😭 great job y’all! Thanks for the laughs 😂
lol good job xDDDD
looks good! it was nice to hear more about you Josiah 🙂 i have wanted a snake and begged for one for 8 yrs but sadly my mom will also not let me get one 🙁 i’m still working on a pro and con list haha
Awesome job, Declan! Was an honor to be your subject of interest lol
1. THE CAMEL SONG LETS GO
2. I hate the Artemis Fowl movie with all my being they ruined it, WHAT EVEN IS AN ACULOS?!
3. You rock man 👍🏻
Why does everyone mention the camel song- 💀 someone tell me why
Because its POG
heh Hi Josiah. Nice interview. I took some notes. Something fun for later.
You took notes? Uh oh, I think I should be worried….
heh heh
not hate on Taylor again…SHES OUR QUEENNNNNNN
but interesting to get to know u all da same
I’m NOT hating on Swift, I’m simply saying she a bit… overrated
I definitely get that you are tired of hearing about her and I totally agree that ppl get a little excessive with their literal worship of her, BUT her music is very entertaining, even if she’s not the best singer
Nice article Declan!!
Cool Josiah!
How does cow tounge taste?
Delicious!
cow brain and eyeball taco???? EWWWWW
No no no, don’t worry! The eyeball is from cow too