Paula Martinez was a Wheaton College professor in 1980 where Beth Yohe Afanador was studying education. Dr. Martinez supervised Beth’s student teaching internship, and a lifelong friendship began. In 1984, Dr. Martinez came to Bogota to supervise another Wheaton student who did his student teaching at Colegio Nueva Granada where Beth was the cooperating teacher. During that trip, more shared memories were created.
In 2008, Paula and Tom’s son, Christopher, served at a foundation in Bogota and connected with some ECA families. After this visit, the Martinez family had more opportunities to see what God was doing at ECA. Recognizing the need to encourage ECA graduates to continue with college studies to have an impact on God’s kingdom, the Martinez family proposed an annual scholarship to bless our graduates. Martinez Scholarship applicants have to go through a rigorous application process, and the winners receive generous scholarships to help with their first-year college expenses. Announcing the winners at the Senior Awards Banquet is always a highlight of the year!
Paula and her husband, Tom, visited Bogota in 2010, when Beth was Director of El Camino Academy. They were excited to see what how God was blessing El Camino Academy and committed to continue this scholarship. As one of Beth’s special mentors, Paula Martinez has invested in ECA through her long-term influence in ECA leadership. In addition to mentoring Beth, she has trained other ECA teachers and advised ECA students.
Since the first Martinez Scholarship recipient in 2009, 51 ECA graduates have been blessed with a monetary scholarship to help with costs for the first year of college. Students have studied in the USA, Colombia, and Europe in careers such as nursing, international business, design, chemistry, aerospace engineering, global studies, and many more. These graduates have used the money for tuition, computers, books, uniforms, and other necessities, and all are grateful for the tangible support as they begin their post-ECA academic journey.
We are thankful to the Martinez Family for their continued support of our El Camino graduates with these generous scholarships that have helped so many students launch their college careers!
