PABLO OQUENDO II | Presidential Scholar

PABLO OQUENDO II   |  Presidential Scholar

by Ajina Dupree | Fall 2022

WILBERFORCE, OH - Pablo Oquendo II, from Lorain, OH, is a sophomore at Central State University. He is an honors student majoring in Music Education. Oquendo is a member of the Alpha Delta Lambda Honors Society, Alpha Kappa Mu, the Golden Key International Honour Society, and the National Society of Leadership and Success, and is also a Presidential Scholar. In 2021, he had the privilege of meeting and playing the violin for Governor Mike DeWine at the groundbreaking ceremony for CSU's new honors residence hall and administrative complex. 


Oquendo is a member of the Invincible Marching Marauders, the section leader of the drumline, and the only quint player in the band. He is also a member of Central State University’s Concert Band. He was recently named the 2021-2022 Best Thumper (award for the best percussionist). Further, he plays in the Jazz Lab Band, Jazz Ensemble, and the President's Own Big Band.

 

Regarding his decision to attend Central State, Oquendo explained that he wanted to be at a university where he would be able to grow more than just academically. He wanted to be able to make lifelong friends and create lifelong memories. He plans to attend graduate school and obtain a Master’s in Music Education and a Master’s in Jazz Composition. He is a multi-instrumentalist and plays many instruments in the string and percussion families. Oquendo shared his musical talents at various events on campus. 

 

Last year, Oquendo performed for Central State students and staff during Pirate Week– a welcome week for freshmen beginning their CSU lives. He performed at the freshmen play and the annual Candlelight Ceremony. During his freshman year, he and his brother performed for students living in Harry John's Hall as well.  

 

Dr. Paul Schlag, Executive Director of Honors and International Affairs said, “Pablo Oquendo, II is one of the most talented and remarkable students with whom I have worked.” He continued, “Pablo's talents know no bounds and he is truly exceptional in all of his multitudinous endeavors. He is a genuinely good person and he will undoubtedly succeed in uplifting others in all future ventures.” 

 

Outside of academia, Oquendo participates in different forms of martial arts. He studies Kempo-style karate, in which he has a second-degree black belt. In 2020 he earned a black belt in Taekwondo. With five years of experience, he also earned a gray black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He was the 2021-2022 Adult Black Belt Professional Karate Championship Champion (age 18-35).


In December of 2022, Lorain High School honored Oquendo with an award named after him and then announced him as the first recipient– the Pablo Oquendo Principal's Award of Excellence. His legacy continues as his brother, Celestino is the second recipient of the award.

 

Oquendo wishes to acknowledge God as well as his, mother, sister, and brother for helping him get where he is today. 


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Learn more about Central State University’s Department of Fine and Performing Arts at https://www.centralstate.edu/academics/CHAS/music_art/index.php  and the Honors College at honors.centralstate.edu.


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