Fall 2012 - North Country School

Alumni in Focus: Luis Aguilar, NCS 87And Many Happy ReturnsBy Suzanna Finley, NCS 01Luis came to North Country School in the middle of his 7thgrade year, on the recommendation of family friend AntonioDelgado, father of Alex Delgado (NCS 84). He arrived inNovember and planned to be here only a few months. But NCSproved a good fit, and Luis stayed the rest of the school year.When he returned to his home in Guatemala City, he asked hisparents for an unusual birthday present: to attend 8th grade atNCS the following year.Wish granted, Luis returned to North Country School, wherehe fostered a deep connection with nature. “I was passionatelike you wouldn’t believe about the outdoors,” he says. “I didclimbing and outdoor activities every single weekend.” Hehiked most of the High Peaks in the less than two years he washere. Despite the distance, he hasn’t entirely given up on theidea of becoming a 46er. “I have eight or nine left that I stillneed to climb.”As an international student at NCS, Luis remembers appreciatingthe chance to live with young people from around the world.“NCS helps students to develop a humbleness with their peers.Kids are all sharing chores around the house and School. Itbrings people of different social status or backgrounds to thesame level. For me, it helped to show that everyone, no matterwhere they are from, is the same, is equal.”After NCS, Luis went to Gould Academy in Maine, then attendedOhio Wesleyan University, where he majored in accounting.After graduating from college he returned home to Guatemala in1996 and began working in real estate development. He currentlyruns a company called Techo with his brother-in-law and twobrothers (Rodrigo, NCS 91 and Alfredo, NCS 02-04, CTT04). Focusing on low and middle income urban development,the firm works with large pieces of land to construct plannedcommunities and has completed several developments in andaround Guatemala City.Luis’ deep respect for nature gives him a unique perspective asan urban developer. Proud to call himself an environmentalist,he is “constantly aware of the pollution we make as developers.I try to be careful about what products we buy. I think the Schoolimprinted on me the fact that you have to be conscious about theenvironment.”page 17 Organic Roots Fall 2012