Profiles

Eleuterio Martinez Ramirez ’18: Scholar Highlight

Eleuterio (Ele) Martinez Ramirez ’18 traveled a long way to find his place at Skidmore College. Originally from Oaxaca, Mexico, Ele left his family and community in 2008 because of political violence and lack of educational opportunities to pursue a better life. When he first came to Saratoga Springs at age 14, he didn’t even speak English. Ele worked for two years before deciding that he needed to resume his education to meet his goals in life. As a senior at Saratoga Springs High School, he was accepted into Skidmore’s Pre-College Program.

Ele graduated in May from Skidmore with a major in math and minor in physics. He now plans to pursue a career in engineering. During his time at Skidmore, he completed an internship at GE the summer after his sophomore year, and last summer he taught photography to young students in his home state. Ele has done extensive volunteer work within the Skidmore and Saratoga community through the Saratoga County Economic Opportunity Council’s Estamos Aqui, a photography fundraiser to benefit the Latino Community Advocacy Program. Ele used his passion for photography to make a difference in the Latino community in Saratoga, won the Best in Show award three consecutive years, and was featured in the Frances Young Tang Teaching Museum and Art Gallery’s TRANSFORMers exhibition. Ele has proven his commitment to Skidmore by participating in every opportunity presented, while using his talents to showcase issues relating to diversity for students, faculty, staff, and the community at large.

Just days after this event, Ele will return to Oaxaca to teach basic math and computer skills to young students at his childhood school. His efforts will be supported by funding he received from a SEE-Beyond Award from Skidmore, which will bring much-needed resources to his community and allow him to significantly improve the education offered to students. SEE-Beyond Awards invite students to apply their academic learning to real-world challenges and aim to help them clarify the interrelationship between their educational and post-baccalaureate goals. True to his character, Ele took the initiative to raise additional funds for his trip. These funds will provide tablets and additional educational programming to his school. Ele’s efforts continue to make a difference, truly following Anne Palamountain’s example of always giving back to one’s community.

Behind every success, there is hard work and sacrifice. My time at Skidmore College has been a hard journey, but thanks to my mentors and professors and to self-motivation, I am where I am today. I have not forgotten about my roots and the need to give back to my community in Oaxaca, Mexico. I give my most sincere thanks to Anne Palamountain and all who have contributed to the Palamountain Scholarship Fund for these great opportunities that I have had at Skidmore College.”

Eleuterio (Ele) Martinez Ramirez ’18

 

Updated 7/9/18