Levis Villatoro Wins Huntington Foundation Scholarship

Levis Villatoro has been an inspiration to his classmates while simultaneously capturing the respect and affection of his teachers. The Huntington High School Class of 2023 member wants to be a teacher himself. The teenager is this year’s recipient of the Huntington Foundation for Excellence in Education’s $2,500 scholarship.

Huntington Foundation Vice President Jennifer Biancardo presented the scholarship award to Mr. Villatoro at the high school’s scholarships and awards ceremony on behalf of the organization.

The new alum will begin his studies at Suffolk County Community College in the fall. He is excited to start a new chapter in his life. He said he owes his success to hard work and motivation. He has especially enjoyed making new friends and meeting new people throughout high school.

Mr. Villatoro participated in numerous clubs while also excelling in the classroom. He was recognized as a Distinguished Senior after compiling an academic grade average of better than 90 during every semester of high school.

The new Huntington alum was a key contributing member of both the New World Club and United Amigos. Mr. Villatoro called himself a “proud member” of the high school’s Spanish Honor Society.

Mr. Villatoro’s work ethic, desire to make a difference in the world and enthusiasm to lead the best life possible is hard to match. He’s known to teachers as a very hard worker who since coming to the United States has wasted little time and seized upon every opportunity that’s come his way.

During an interview earlier this year, the teenager described himself as a “home type person.” “Two important teachers for me are Ms. [Rosario] Lorenzana and Ms. [Eileen] Gonzalez,” Mr. Villatoro said. He interned with  Ms. Lorenzana, who serves as faculty advisor for United Amigos. She helped develop the teenager’s interest in  teaching.

“Ms. Gonzalez was my New World Club advisor and was my first teacher here in the United States,” Mr. Villatoro said. “She has developed my interest in learning English from the beginning of my time here in Huntington High School. The New World Club has helped me a lot in my personal growth. I help guide new students who have just arrived at school and try to be a positive influence in their lives.”

The new graduate likes to set goals to strive to accomplish. “I would like to start at Suffolk Community College and do two years there and transfer to SUNY Old Westbury because they are close to my house and both have good education programs,” said Mr. Villatoro earlier this year. “As for my major, I would like to be a history teacher or be something that is related to medicine.”

Throughout high school, Mr. Villatoro has worked 30 hours a week in order to financially support himself and help my family in El Salvador.

Regardless of the subject matter, Mr. Villatoro strives to master it. “My favorite courses have been Chemistry and Participation in Government,” he said. “Chemistry offers an incredible challenge and still manages to be enjoyable. In Chemistry, learning the intricacies of how the elements around us work and how they can be manipulated is fascinating.”

Mr. Villatoro also enjoyed learning about the “origins, concepts, organizations and policies of the US government and the American political system.”

“My time in high school has been unforgettable,” Mr. Villatoro said. “Even with spending two years learning from home, I would not change anything. I have had many experiences that I have never had in my life. Despite everything that happened at the beginning of high school, I am very happy and grateful to my teachers who always supported me. It has not been easy for me, because I had to learn a new language. However, I am very proud to achieve my dreams. Unfortunately I did not have the opportunity to go to school frequently in my country, because I worked to help my family and had no transportation to go. In spite of everything I am happy with everything I have achieved.”

The teenager’s dream for 10 years from now? “I hope to be teaching history in a high school; maybe right here at Huntington High School,” Mr. Villatoro said.