Nathaniel Gamboa is red, white and blue through and through. The Huntington High School senior loves his country and plans to serve it as an officer in the United States Navy.
Mr. Gamboa is pursuing admission to the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, but one way or another, he plans to be in uniform as an officer. He has captured an NROTC scholarship, which he plans to utilize if he attends Worchester Polytechnic Institute. He will participate in the NROTC program there through Holy Cross.
Huntington High School senior Nathan Gamboa.
The Huntington senior was nominated for an appointment to the Naval Academy by US Representative Thomas Suozzi. Mr. Gamboa considers securing the nomination to be a “great achievement for myself as there were so many of us competing for just 10 spots. If I get appointed to USNA I do plan on going there.”
The teenager is equally proud of the NROTC scholarship that he landed. “This enables me to go to a college of my choice that offers the program with free tuition,” Mr. Gamboa said. “While I’m there I would participate in military duties and attend military science classes.” He recently visited WPI to meet with the NROTC commanding officers there.
Mr. Gamboa’s interest in serving as an officer in the Navy evolved over time. “It started with my uncle, who is a USNA alumni, when he brought up the idea of serving in the military,” he said. “He wanted me to ‘Go Navy’ of course. After looking into it more in depth I felt that the Navy, more specifically the submarine force, was best suited for me for its prestige and camaraderie.”
The teenager’s challenging senior year academic schedule includes courses in Advanced Placement Physics, AP English Literature and Composition, AP Micro/Macro Economics, AP Calculus BC, Latin V Honors and Science Research.
Mr. Gamboa’s closest friends include Mathew Hearl, Katie Burton and Erika Varady. “It’s so impressive to see how Nathan devotes himself to daily challenges and his lifelong ambitions,” Mr. Hearl said. “I’m lucky to have him as one of my best friends and I’ll always cherish our memories together both in and out of school. I couldn’t be more thrilled that he earned the NROTC scholarship and I know he’ll go on to do amazing things with such an opportunity.”
Mr. Gamboa transferred to Huntington UFSD from St. Patrick’s School, registering as a fourth grader at Washington Primary School. He has always been popular with his classmates and faculty members.
The senior’s favorite teachers have been Lori Kenny, Matthew Liguori and Stacey Byrnes. “Nathan is such a hardworking student with a genuine personality,” Mr. Liguori said. “I’ve taught Nathan in three different classes and he always had a positive impact on all those around him.”
Treasurer of Huntington High School’s Latin club, Mr. Gamboa is also a member of the environmental club, the National Honor Society, Science Honor Society, Math Honor Society, English Honor Society, Social Studies Honor Society and Latin Honor Society.
Captain of the Blue Devil varsity swimming and diving team, Mr. Gamboa is in the high school wind ensemble and is a section leader in the Blue Devil marching band, playing alto sax in both groups.
The teenager has participated in a community service trip every year to West Virginia through BOLD Youth Ministry. Mr. Gamboa also volunteers at soup kitchens when he can.
The senior has done some traveling, including treks to Europe and Sri Lanka and visits to the Philippines every few years to see his family living there.
Mr. Gamboa has some simple advice for incoming Huntington freshmen: “Set your goals early and remember you’re the only one who can get in your way,” he said. “Travis Manion has a great quote regarding this. He said ‘If not me, then who.’”
If anyone makes every day count it’s Mr. Gamboa. He keeps busy and never stops growing in every possible way. He leads a disciplined life, but he also likes to have fun and has a great sense of humor.
“I have enjoyed my time in Huntington,” Mr. Gamboa said. “I made new friends, tried new things and most importantly, the teachers never gave up on me. They always pushed me to be the best I could be.”
