Wady Guzman spent five years performing for the Triton Troupers Circus, a show based out of Triton College that has been performing annually since 1972. He can still juggle five pins and has walked a high wire.
That gig ended in 2005, but he's still multi-talented, multi-dimensional and award-winning.
Guzman has been working for the AIDS Foundation of Chicago for three years, where he designed the brochure that won the "Run Walk Ride Pacesetter Award" for Best
Recruitment Brochure 2010. Plus, it was just announced that the female condom website ringonit.org received the Silver Communicator Award for both "Best Health Website" and the "Best Visual Appeal" on the 2011 Communicator Awards, presented by the
International Academy of the Visual Arts.
"It's pretty exciting," Guzman said of the awards he's won. "I was pretty surprised to win the [ 2010 ] national award. When I was told [ I had won, ] I was shocked. It's really exciting winning that award because 2010 was the first year of the [ endurance-training ] program. That award truly validated my work."
Guzman's handy work at the computer is ever-present within AFC and its endurance-training program, the Team To End AIDS ( T2 ) . Even the T2 programs in Los Angeles, Houston and Washington, D.C., are using Guzman's work.
"It's great seeing ads [ that I designed ] on billboards in Los Angeles," he said, smiling. "It's great to see ads that I designed are moving people to make a change and be part of the program. It's very satisfying."
Guzman's graphical work has been spotted around town by his friendsand they usually take a picture of it, then post on his Facebook wall. "It's flattering," Guzman said.
Guzman last year spotted one of his ads at a bus shelter while driving near 47th and Ashlanda neighborhood he lived in about 17 years ago. "Back then, I never thought I'd have designed something that would be so prominently displayed, promoted in the neighborhood."
Guzman also is the host for Wild Thursdays at Victor Hotel, for the longest-running 18-and-over gay night.
"I juggle a lot these daysAFC, the [ Thursday ] club night, my triathlon training, my boyfriend and more … just like my time in the circus," Guzman said.
"I came to AFC when I learned that a lot of my friends were HIV-positive. I'm negative, but have become so invested in the fight against HIV and AIDS. People need to be up in arms, wanting to help, wanting to make a difference."
Like Guzman is.
Fun Facts:
Age: 32
Lives in: Schiller Park
Dating: Henry Melendez, 25
Job title: Graphic designer and web content coordinator, AIDS Foundation of Chicago
Born in: Guadalajara
Living in Chicago: Past 16 years
High School: East Leyden, Class of 1996
College: University of Illinois-Chicago, Class of 2001
Wady: Has Lebanese origin and means, water being born.
Heritage: Mexican
Hobbies: Music, playing Angry Birds on his iPhone and is now training with the Team To End AIDS ( T2 ) for a triathlon