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Friday, October 27, 2000

Student says serving others has enriched her life
Veronica Martinez volunteers in school, community and church while maintaining good grades
By Guy H. Lawrence
Caller-Times

George Gongora/Caller-Times

Veronica Martinez, a senior at George West High School, volunteers at the Boys & Girls Club. She has found working with children inspiring and would like to study either child psychology or computer science in college.

As Veronica Martinez, 17, tutored a young boy in reading at the Boys & Girls Club, she learned valuable lessons herself.
   "It helped because it made me stay here and it helped me see the whole point of the program - to help kids learn, keep them out of trouble and just give them stability," said Veronica, a senior at George West High School.
   More importantly, it opened her eyes to her community and she saw that kids with low self-esteem can fall in with a bad crowd. And she learned that she can play an important role, helping prevent some kids from getting into trouble.
   "A lot of kids don't feel good about themselves. They are scared to try to make friends," Veronica said. "Getting them to see themselves better makes me happy. They can go out and make friends after somebody goes out and talks to them."
   This Caller-Times South Texas Distinguished Scholar in service and leadership ranks ninth in her class of 86 with a 92.08 grade average or 94.37 with honors classes figured in.
   The daughter of Mina and Jose F. Martinez is a member of the National Honor Society where she serves as vice president of service and she is president of the her church's Catholic Youth Organization. Veronica also has coached kindergarten through sixth-grade students for the district's Little Olympics, where high school students coach elementary school students for a track and field competition. She has run varsity track and cross-country and participated in other University Interscholastic League activities such as one-act play and prose.
   Glenda Locke, a biology teacher and National Honor Society sponsor, said Veronica is an important asset to the club, because she has a knack for getting volunteers for events such as helping out with children's activities during the George West Storyfest, which is on Nov. 4 this year.
   "She is very enthusiastic and she is assertive," Locke said. "She has no problem going up to people and telling them why they should do it."
   Veronica's mother sometimes worries that her daughter his spreading herself too thin. But Mina Martinez said her daughter is learning about dedication and what it takes to be successful.
   "She finds it rewarding and also she feels good about herself when she is doing all these activities," Martinez said. "If you don't set your goals, you won't get that golden ring."
   Veronica said she would like to attend a private university and study either child psychology or computer science. Her interest in helping children stems from her volunteer service.
   "If I can just lift their spirits, that is what I would like to be doing," Veronica said.



Staff writer Guy H. Lawrence can be reached at 886-3792 or by e-mail at lawrenceg@caller.com

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