04/23/2020
Senior Spotlight! MIDN 1/C Hufano
MIDN Hufano is a biology major at Loyola University, and will be commissioning as a surface warfare officer after graduation.
Why did you join NROTC?
I joined NROTC for the tuition money. I came from a single parent household with my mom raising myself and my two younger brothers. The NROTC scholarship provided me the opportunity to go to college and increased the ability for my brothers to do the same. Although it became quickly clear that this program meant more to me than a ticket to an advanced education. I was drawn to the kind of leaders I found myself instructed under and the sense of purpose that came with careers in which they were a part of. I was challenged by amazing mentors and competitive peers and every day I found myself becoming closer to the role models I was inspired by. I joined the NROTC to go to college and I stayed because of the incredible people the program allowed me interact with.
What were some of your best memories of NROTC and/or college?
Thinking back on my time with the NROTC, a lot of the greatest memories came from my summer cruises. I really enjoyed the YP cruise of this past summer, getting to travel up the east coast and getting to see Annapolis, Baltimore, Philly, New York and Boston. I have great memories being roommates with some of my fellow midshipman. A lot of those come from the wholesome moments of watching TV shows with them in our living room and relaxing over snacks. Outside of NROTC I made a lot of memories as part of the Filipinx Student Organization KAPWA where I was a dancer in their cultural branch and student mentor. I loved competing and dancing every year. Our group placed second my freshman year, first place my junior year and we placed second this year in our performance where I was privileged to be one of the cast leads. There was a great sense of camaraderie in the organization and the family I found with my kuyas (older brothers) and bunsos (younger siblings) really gave me a home away from home. There were also a lot of great times I had playing with Loyola’s Wind Ensemble whom I will miss very dearly. Lastly, is a memory I think I’ll cherish forever, although it’s not one I cherish out of pure joy. I was able to be home with my grandfather who passed on July 29th of 2018. It is a memory that fills me with sorrow but at the same time a bittersweet happiness of the fact I got to be there with my family and with him.
Do you have any advice for your freshman self and/or the younger Midshipmen?
For a piece of advice for myself, I would have said “Don’t sweat the small stuff or mistakes you might make. As long as you spend every day making a real effort towards your goals, you will see them fulfilled.” For others I would advise surrounding yourself with people you enjoy and who you can look up to as best you can.