Centennial Scholar Lupe Martinez-Hilario ’26 Brought Her Bucket List to Life in London Using Her Enrichment Funds

Studying abroad in London was more than just stamping a passport for Lupe Martinez-Hilario. She was achieving her childhood dream.

Her time abroad was especially fulfilling as it gave her a sense of clarity about the type of fashion designer she hopes to become. During her semester at the University of the Arts London, Martinez-Hilario was inspired by the sites she visited, gained a closer connection with her classmates, both from the Wilson College of Textiles and those she met while living abroad, and she realized her dreams were achievable.

Her Centennial Scholarship, made possible through the North Carolina Textile Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the Wilson College of Textiles, played a key role in making this opportunity possible. Centennial Scholars receive up to $22,000 in scholarship funding each year for four years, beginning their first year on campus. In turn, they’re empowered to channel their focus solely on their textile education instead of juggling multiple jobs to pay for tuition and educational fees. 

The support students receive doesn’t stop there, though. Centennial Scholars are allocated an additional $7,500 in enrichment funding to maximize their college experience. Typically, they use the funds to study and intern abroad, participate in leadership programs, and explore various career opportunities. 

“My life has been forever changed. Thank you so much, from the bottom of my heart, to my donor for making this possible. The three months I spent abroad were the best months of my life.”

“My life has been forever changed,” says Martinez-Hilario, a class of 2026 student studying fashion and textile design with a concentration in fashion design. “Thank you so much, from the bottom of my heart, to my donor for making this possible. The three months I spent abroad were the best months of my life.”

Below, she shares more about her life-changing experience, which allowed her to further hone her fashion design skills, create memories in Europe and explore her professional aspirations.

What was the most meaningful part of your enrichment experience?

The most meaningful part of my experience was realizing how capable I am. I’ve always dreamed of going to London, but it felt like one of those things that would never happen until much later in my life. I always felt that experiences on my bucket list were reserved for others, but I made many of them come true during this past semester.

I stood in the filming locations of my favorite movies, viewed artwork I’d only ever seen in art textbooks and saw cities I’d only ever dared to save on my Pinterest boards. I also gained clarity about the kind of designer I wanted to be, which was a fulfilling experience. 

The cherry on top was being able to see my Wilson College of Textiles classmates and become better friends with them, which was so special to me.

How will this experience contribute to your education and career growth?

This experience has completely expanded my idea of what’s possible. I always considered myself a big dreamer, but I’ve realized that I am not dreaming big enough.

My study abroad trip has made me more ambitious and focused on the impact I want to have through fashion. After studying abroad, I’ve decided to pursue a master’s degree to further expand on the entrepreneurship class I took at the University of the Arts London, which is very exciting. 

The skills and confidence I’ve gained will stick with me well beyond graduation.

If you could say anything to the donor who made this experience possible, what would you say?

Whenever I am feeling down or unsure of my future, I will remember that there are people who believe my education is worth investing in. Thank you so much!

This post was originally published in Wilson College of Textiles News.