Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Compassion is his ‘primary gift’

Juan Martinez named Youth Citizen of the Year


By TERRY SMITH
Express Staff Writer

Wood River High School senior Juan Martinez has been named Youth Citizen of the Year. Photo by

Fourth in a series of four stories about individual winners of 2010 Community Awards.

Wood River High School senior Juan Martinez is one of those sons that a mother likes to brag about.

"My boy's always been very compassionate," said Angie Martinez, principal at Bellevue Elementary School. "From the time he was little, he always reached out to others in need—that's his primary gift."

His father is Ron Martinez, a former high school vice principal and athletic director who now teaches science and math to fifth- and sixth-graders at Carey School.

At 18, Juan Martinez is an accomplished athlete, a good student and a volunteer in community programs. He was recently named Youth Citizen of the Year in the 2010 Wood River Valley Community Awards.

At Wood River High School, Martinez has lettered in football, basketball and baseball and performs with two school choirs. He's a member of the school Teaching Academy, volunteering his time to help elementary school students with their studies. He was also this year's homecoming king.

Martinez serves as a mentor with the Big Brothers Big Sisters program, which is designed to help youngsters see themselves in a positive way and avoid negative attitudes and behaviors.

He was elected last year as an Idaho delegate to the Youth Lead program, which led to trips last summer to Washington, D.C., and to Israel and Jordan to meet and learn from other youth leaders.

Because of his busy schedule, Martinez couldn't be reached for comment on this story, but others were more than willing to talk about his attributes.

High School Principal John Blackman said Martinez is an "awesome kid—he's amazing. He comes in the door every day with a big smile on his face—he's just a joy to have around. He's always kind of up—a real positive kid. It's daily with him."

Blackman described Martinez as a "silent leader—he leads by example, by his actions, not by words."

Angie Martinez said her son is somewhat modest and "humble" about his accomplishments.

"Whenever someone asks him about his achievements, his response is, 'It's not about me,'" she said. "What motivates him is the success of his team, or his friends, or whatever he's working on."

Juan Martinez plans to attend college this fall at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff. His mother said he plans to become a teacher and a coach.

'I'm absolutely proud of him," she said. "I get to brag a little bit today."

Terry Smith: tsmith@mtexpress.com




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