Mia Martinez taking a back-to-school photo for Senior year.

When not leading Key Club meetings as president, planning the next ASB rally, or volunteering at the local hospital, senior Mia Martinez can often be found trying something new for the first time. Whether that is taking a new science class at the college or watching a new anime show, Martinez has strived to be herself and be open to trying new things and activities. 

“I love everything and have really different interests…I like to try everything too. I like to go out of my way to explore different things,” Martinez said.

That willingness to jump in the deep end has shown in Martinez’s involvement at Buena with her commitment to serving her peers and school. Throughout her four years at Buena, Martinez has been involved in several groups that all impact students in a positive way.

“Before coming to high school, I just hoped to be a well-rounded student who just went after things, and [my] mom was like ‘why hope that you do that –  just do it’, and I think that really helped me with a lot of different roles that I’ve gotten in clubs and opportunities outside of school,” Martinez said. 

One such example is becoming a wellness peer for the Buena Wellness Center, where wellness peers promote mental health resources and support for anyone needing it.

“As soon as I learned that it was a center made for helping kids and giving students resources on ways to cope with anxiety and mental health, I thought that was perfect…so I think it was just wanting to explore what it was that made me want to become a wellness peer,” Martinez said.

Another group that Martinez has been a part of is Key Club, a club dedicated to serving the local community. As a three-year member and president of the club, Martinez is in charge of promoting different volunteer opportunities for members and connecting organizations to volunteers.

“Being able to kind of be that guiding person for kids who are younger than me is really important because I want them to stay well informed, and I just like exposing them to that kind of stuff so they can be able to help others,” Martinez said. “Through Key Club, they’ve been picking up trash at beaches, they have been volunteering with senior citizens, and it’s just nice knowing that you were a little bridge to that.”

While Martinez has helped other students find volunteering opportunities, Key Club has also helped her find ways to serve her community through volunteering at The Orchard, a senior community. At The Orchard, Martinez keeps company with the residents and does activities with them, including being the official bingo caller for their games.

“I think she’s very caring and very giving, and that is very evident and obvious with not just how she leads meetings, but the fact that she does the Orchard stuff herself, and that she’s so excited about it,” Key Club advisor Cody Foster said. “It’s not just something that she’s checking the box for an application; it is something that, at least to me from the outside, seems actually genuine, and she seems really really happy with the impact that she’s making on the community.” 

With her passion for helping others, it is no surprise that it has led Martinez to pursue a career in nursing, a job that saves lives every day. Martinez has already started preparing for a job in the medical field by volunteering at Community Memorial Hospital in the Critical Care Unit (CCU) where she prepares the beds and rooms for patients and helps guide and answer any questions families and loved ones may have. While the CCU is often stressful and intense, Martinez stays calm and collected as she focuses on providing the best help she can and learns more about the occupation. 

“Being able to give someone another chance at life is something so special. The fact that some people save other people’s lives, give hope to others and give faith to others as their career is something that I desire, and I feel like that would fulfill me,” Martinez said.

Both at school and in her community, it is evident that Martinez has big ambitions for her future and an even bigger heart that will smoothly transition to the medical field and helping people. 

“I think I just made so many good memories by being who I am, loving to volunteer, and being a part of so many organizations that allow me to do what I love doing, and that’s giving back to others,” Martinez said.