Gonzaga University Student Featured on “The Real Winning Edge”

Gonzaga University junior Gabe Castellanos lost his sight during his freshman year of high school, but in spite of this obstacle, he has grown in his musical vision.

In 2006, a diabetic coma left Castellanos with partial and fading vision. After graduating from Brophy High School in Tempe, Ariz., in 2009, Castellanos and his trusty guide dog Oregon made their way north to study computer science at Gonzaga. Castellanos is a rare individual, whose passion is music and playing guitar. And his musical abilities are gaining notoriety.

Recognizing the impact of TV on youth, Challenger Films developed a series called “The Real Winning Edge” to inspire young adults to seek a life of integrity and character by seeing it in their peers and features high-performing teenagers in arts and sports who also face significant challenges (disability, illness, tragedy, depression, substance abuse, etc.).

One of thousands of nominees, Castellanos was chosen for his musical ability to serve as a role model for all. Castellanos explained his relationship with music:

“After I went blind, I had a lot of free time on my hands, and I started playing like an hour or two a day, just trying to improve myself. And through all that work, I became pretty good. It’s all about feeling – both in the sense of emotion, but also in the sense of if it feels right just go with it.”

Challenger Films has continued to add new shows to “The Real Winning Edge” since it started in 1987. The full series is now airing on Fox-owned-and-operated stations in most major markets, including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Dallas, and in national syndication, reaching more than 85 percent of American households.