Pinguelo Emphasizes Collaboration During CBA Career

As senior Colin Pinguelo watched his older brother, Christian ‘23, enjoy his time at the Academy, he remembers thinking “that’s a place I want to be.”

Fast forward a handful of years later, the Colts Neck native is preparing to graduate from CBA, but more than ready for his next challenge at Boston College.

It was Pinguelo’s entire experience at CBA that set him up for his recent success, most notably earning a spot in BC’s Gabelli Presidential Scholars Program.

After traveling to Boston for a series of interviews and group exercises with fellow applicants, Pinguelo received the good news that he will be one of 18 students in the Class of 2030 to take part in the program. He will receive a full-tuition scholarship to Boston College, while participating in fully-funded summer enrichment programs.

“It is a cohort of students where we work together in service, global travel and leadership,” he says. “It’s an academic community, but also a social and leadership community. It is made for us to succeed and make a big impact not only in our four years, but going on into the world.”

Pinguelo is primed to fit right in at BC, seeing as many of his favorite moments at CBA have revolved around how his future scholars program is structured. 

“[CBA] is a super collaborative environment, where not only the teachers, but also your classmates want you to succeed,” he says. “I used that collaboration and teamwork to grow academically and bounce ideas off of people.”

Watch Pinguelo's Interview (Story Continues Below)

He believes that peak academic collaboration happens in the science department, where he complimented courses such as Mr. Orozco’s Anatomy & Physiology, Mrs. Morgan’s Biology, and Mrs. Heidelberger’s Physics for making a concerted effort to involve every student. 

Of course, he developed teamwork skills outside of the classroom as well, being a member of the varsity track & field team, SADD, the Br. Michael Dwyer Scholars Program, and liturgical ministries, among other activities. 

However, it was a service immersion trip to the De La Salle Blackfeet School during his junior year that made a monumental impact on his high school career.

“I like to tell people that the week alone made coming to CBA worth it,” he says. “The eye-opening experience and the integration into a new community, it was unmatched. I got to work with middle schoolers who have a lot of challenges facing their education. I learned so much from them, so many lessons that I will hold dear to my heart.”

As he prepares to cross the stage and receive his Academy diploma, Pinguelo has found it hard not to be sentimental about the people he will be leaving at CBA.

“I am definitely going to miss the people, not only the students, but the teachers as well. The connections that I have formed with the teachers here are connections I hope to keep.”