Albert Aguilar: Special Connection to Earthquake-Devastated Japan

Name: Albert Aguilar, 17

School: , Center for Global Studies

Accomplishments:

Albert Aguilar has traveled to Japan twice, shaken hands with Bill Clinton and seen President Obama speak. 

For Albert, a student of Brien McMahon’s Center for Global Studies, Japan isn't just a country being talked about on the news.

This high school junior has traveled to Japan twice through the Ponus Ridge Middle School and CGS Study tours.

Albert has also spent six years studying Japanese language, history, and culture. He told Patch, “I’ve always been interested in the culture. I find it interesting how different it is from our culture. I love learning about the history of Japan.”

When he heard about Japan's recent earthquake, Albert "was surprised to hear something like that had happened. It’s insane. It was felt for 200 miles around, so it devastated a lot of people ... It destroyed places where families have been living for thousands of years."

Japan isn't the only country that interests Albert. He is interested in American politics as well. During the last presidential debate, Albert took it upon himself to research the political parties. Albert said that when he “started digging more in depth about who I wanted to be president. I realized that the Democratic Party was the one that most matched my beliefs.”

This past October, when Albert heard that Obama was going to be speaking in Bridgeport, he made sure to be there to see and hear Obama live. Albert shared with Patch that President Obama is “kind of a comedian who gives good speeches.”

The following day he had the chance to shake hands with former president Bill Clinton. Because of his interest in politics, Albert made sure to attend the South Norwalk rally where Clinton gave his endorsement of Jim Himes. Other politicians who attended this rally included Richard Blumenthal and Dan Malloy. Albert told Patch that “They’re really friendly. They’ll come up to talk to you and answer your questions. They’re really nice.”

Albert enjoys helping others. He loves working with children, and for the last few years he has been a camp counselor for Camp Sunrise and St. Matthew Church’s bible camp. He is also involved in a service-oriented youth group that has helped Al’s Angels provide food to the less fortunate for the holidays.

What’s ahead for this high school junior? He hopes to go to dental school and is interested in attending the University of Maryland. He also told Patch that at some point he may consider “getting involved in politics and then running for office on some level – even city, state government.”

If he does decide to go into politics, his experience with Brien McMahon’s Junior Statesmen of America debate club is sure to help him.

Key to Awesomeness:

Albert revealed to Patch that “once a thought pops into my head, it sticks and never leaves.” That kind of determination is sure to take him far in whatever path he chooses.