Candido Martinez has earned stellar grades since arriving in Huntington from El Salvador. The senior has done so well he is headed to Colgate University, one of the finest colleges in the country.
Mr. Martinez came to the United States in 2007, enrolling in Huntington UFSD as a first grader. He’s been a standout ever since. This past year he has engaged in a credit bearing internship with the Huntington Foundation for Excellence in Education, helping him to further expand his horizons.
Huntington senior Candido Martinez.
“I chose Colgate because I feel wanted at the school and I won’t just be one of the thousands of students like in other universities,” Mr. Martinez said. “I got into its Office of Undergraduate Studies program where I and a few other students will have access to a house they call ‘La Casa,’ where we can take out books we’d otherwise buy for classes. La Casa has a kitchen, a nice living room with video game consoles to wind down and a computer room and it’s also a nice quiet place to go to whenever I may need a place to study. We can also go to the program advisors there for help with whatever we may need.”
The senior also considered Fordham University, Vassar College, Binghamton University and the University at Buffalo, but Colgate won out in the end.
“Colgate made me feel like I had a home away from home,” Mr. Martinez said. “It’s a place where, thanks to their OUS program, I feel that I can make my future goals become a reality.”
Mr. Martinez has a diversified set of academic interests. “At Colgate, I’m interested in studying computer science, economics, engineering and health sciences,” he said. “STEM is definitely the field I think I’ll remain in. I plan to go on study abroad programs while at Colgate, as well as hopefully take part in the National Institutes of Health study group through the unique partnership Colgate has with the NIH.”
The teenager’s ultimate career goal is still to be decided. “Growing up in El Salvador I noticed how extremely difficult life was for people and how success was unheard of,” Mr. Martinez said. “Here, I have the ability to become and do what I otherwise would have never been able to do in El Salvador. My current career interests are electrical engineering, economics and physician assistant.”
Inducted into six different academic honor societies, Mr. Martinez was named a Distinguished Senior earlier this year. He said the key to his success “has been staying motivated and determined.”
Mr. Martinez will be the first member of his family to attend college. He has enjoyed a wide ranging experience at Huntington, including playing volleyball as a junior, advancing to the National History Day regional finals at Hofstra University and holding down a job in the community.
“I can’t choose an all-time favorite teacher as I feel that every teacher I’ve had has taught me a lot and has had an impact on me, which has helped me grow as a person,” Mr. Martinez said. “Mrs. [Kelly] Krycinski taught me to enjoy reading again. Ms. [Camille] Tedeschi taught me to enjoy learning about different cultures and their history and challenged me to always do better. Ms. [Aimee] Antorino taught me to appreciate an author’s literary work and thought process behind minute details of a story. Ms. [Victoria] Lombardi taught me about fallacies so that I can win against weak arguments. Ms. [Diannah] Cazzalino helped me become a great researcher and writer. Mr. [Michael] Graziano’s passion for teaching and connecting with students alongside an amazing personality helped me grow as a person. Mr. [James] Graber and his humor helped me enjoy an otherwise difficult class as well as learn a lot about how the world functions. Mr. [Robert] Gilmor holds a special spot on the list, as he’s not a teacher, but someone who is always there for you and someone who I hold as a role model for life.”
Science teachers Judy Pazienza and Amelia Saggese are also among Mr. Martinez’s faculty favorites. “They both helped me get a better of understanding of our universe and how it works and an appreciation of the finer details of physics”
Colgate is ranked among the top liberal arts colleges in the country. Mr. Martinez is anxious to begin his studies there, but he will never forget his hometown or those who have helped him get where he is today.
“What I’ll always remember about Huntington is the diverse community and that the faculty and staff is always there when you need them,” Mr. Martinez said. “I’ll also never forget the amazing college office and Mrs. [Bernadette] Walsh and Mrs. [Linda] Catalano, who both helped significantly in finding my home for the next four years.”
