Centennial Scholar Lupe Martinez-Hilario '26 Fulfills London Adventures with Enrichment Money from Her Scholarship
Student Finds Clarity and Ambition Abroad with Centennial Scholarship
Lupe Martinez-Hilario, a class of 2026 student at NC State University's Wilson College of Textiles, has embarked on a transformative journey in fashion and textile design, thanks in part to the Centennial Scholarship.
The Centennial Scholarship, made possible through the North Carolina Textile Foundation, provides academic merit recognition and active support for study abroad opportunities. Scholars like Martinez-Hilario receive up to $22,000 in scholarship funding each year for four years, as well as an additional $7,500 in enrichment funding.
During her time abroad, Martinez-Hilario spent three months studying in London. This enriching experience allowed her to further hone her fashion design skills and create lasting memories in Europe. She used her enrichment funds to study, intern, participate in leadership programs, and explore various career opportunities.
The University of the Arts London's entrepreneurship class had a significant influence on Martinez-Hilario. The course expanded her perspective on what's possible in her career and inspired her to become more ambitious and focused on making an impact through fashion.
Martinez-Hilario was also inspired by the sites she visited during her time in London. The city's rich fashion history and thriving industry left a lasting impression, giving her a sense of clarity about her career aspirations. As a result, she plans to pursue a master's degree to further her entrepreneurship skills.
Martinez-Hilario is grateful to the donor who made her study abroad experience possible. She feels that her life has been forever changed by this enrichment experience and will remember the donor's investment in her education when feeling uncertain about her future.
The Centennial Scholarship is not just about recognizing academic merit but also actively facilitating study abroad opportunities. This support is crucial for developing well-rounded fashion and textile professionals who can innovate and lead in a worldwide context. By providing global engagement opportunities, the scholarship enriches students' understanding of international textile markets, sustainable design practices, and global fashion cultures.
In summary, the Centennial Scholarship has played a pivotal role in Lupe Martinez-Hilario's academic and personal growth. Her study abroad experience in London has given her the skills, confidence, and clarity needed to pursue a successful career in fashion and textile design.
- Lupe Martinez-Hilario, an undergraduate student at NC State University's Wilson College of Textiles, found clarity and ambition for her career in fashion and textile design, partly due to the Centennial Scholarship.
- The Centennial Scholarship, sponsored by the North Carolina Textile Foundation, not only acknowledges academic merit but also actively supports study abroad opportunities.
- During her study abroad experience in London, Martinez-Hilario received up to $22,000 in scholarship funding each year for four years, as well as $7,500 in enrichment funding.
- The University of the Arts London's entrepreneurship class inspired Martinez-Hilario, broadening her career perspective and encouraging ambition and focus on impactful fashion design.
- Martinez-Hilario plans to pursue a master's degree to further enhance her entrepreneurship skills, influenced by her experiences in London's fashion industry and history.
- Grateful for the Centennial Scholarship's donor, Martinez-Hilario will remember the investment in her education and personal development when facing future uncertainties in her education and lifestyle, including fashion-and-beauty and education-and-self-development sectors.
