Photo Courtesy of Zurita Family
Flanked by fellow Poly Prep classmates on College Signing Day, Travis Zurita (c) sports the West Point cap as parents Mario and Ginza watch over their son.
By Patricia Adams
Three United States presidents, 74 Medal of Honor recipients, 18 astronauts five of whom have been to the moon, 70 Rhodes Scholars, 3 Heisman Trophy winners, 3 foreign heads of state, 34 Generals of major U.S. wars, the founder of AOL, and the CEO’s of Proctor & Gamble and Johnson & Johnson.
And now, 17-year-old Ozone Park native Travis Zurita, has the chance to study inside the same halls that have produced many who have and who continue to shape the greatness of our country.
One conversation with the SS/center fielder from the ozone Howard Little league and there’s really no confusion as to why West Point wants him on their roster. The former honor roll student at MS 202 currently studies at Poly Prep and is now completing the rigourous application process to attend the service academy that has produced so many remarkable graduates.
The second child of his Ecuadorian-Puerto Rican parents, Travis looks up to his older brother Gonzalo and watches over his younger sister, Caitlyn, whom he refers to as “My Queen.”
He is described by his parents Mario and Ginza as a boy who, despite all he attention brought his way remains forever humble.
Much of the attention focused on Travis centers around his talent on the baseball diamond, which is the source of his scholarship opportunity at West Point. And although he hopes to catch the eyes of NY Yankee scouts one day he is prepared to take whatever the future holds. “If I don’t get drafted I will still emerge as a young man prepared to succeed in whatever the future holds.”
Travis attributes his accomplishments to hard work, the support of his family and guidance he received from an early age from Ozone Howard coach Joe Bode.
“Coach Joe has been there every step of the way for me. No matter what I need, he’s there. He’s been like another father figure to me.”
Now as he prepares for a June graduation and a July departure for boot camp, Travis says the most difficult thing he faces is the separation from his family.
“It’s going to be a heartbreaker for me, but in the end I know it will all work out for the best.”
Although leaving everything he knows and cherishes will be a challenge, the young man with humble roots seems to already have developed a strong sense of family, responsibility, ambition and love of country. Asked what advice he has for his peers to succeed, he offers these words:” If you just keep working hard, you’re guaranteed to have somethng good come to you. Guranteed.”
