Joaquin Diaz-Huerta
Stamford High School 2023
Wharton School of Business, U Penn 2027
Although reading philosophy by Marcus Aurelius is only a pastime, there’s no question Joaquin digs deep to learn about and experience the world around him, and in his own words, he’s “committed to making an impact on mankind”.
Raised by a single mother who immigrated from Peru when he was six years old to give him a better life, Joaquin honed his entrepreneurial skills early on, building websites and selling goods online to help support his family during his early years of high school.
Now a Future 5 Ambassador, Joaquin joined the organization during his Junior year, and after years of navigating life quietly on his own, soon “felt I was in a hidden away magic community.” He praises the Future 5 staff and community for providing a welcoming and supportive place to grow. He’s taken advantage of almost every community service event, noting that one of his favorites was being out on the Long Island Sound in a kayak, cleaning up marine debris with local partner, Soundwaters.
When Joaquin first learned about Questbridge, a not for profit matches low income, first gen students to opportunities at national colleges and universities, he never expected to become a finalist, crediting his college coach, Carolyn Brook, with adding structure and discipline to the process. “She was a role model for me,” recalls Joaquin, adding, “Seeing her business background made my path more tangible and I immediately saw how much I would learn from her.”
A few weeks ago, Joaquin learned that he had received a National College Match through Questbridge, resulting a four-year scholarship to The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, where he plans to study Entrepreneurship and Social Impact, so that he can “do his small part to advance the human race.”