Name: Rachel Martinez
Anzar High School
Age: 18
GPA: 4.0
City: Aromas
College: Randolph-Macon Woman’s College, Va.
Major: Bio-chemistry
Scholarships: Five scholarships including: Randolph-Macon full tuition, Rotary Club of San Juan, San Benito Bank, Woman’s Club of Hollister
Favorite Food: Jelly Beans
Hero: Her sister Sarah
After applying and being accepted to six different colleges including fairly large schools like California Polytechnic University San Luis Obispo and Scripps College, Rachel Martinez chose a small women’s college with only 750 students. Randolph-Macon, a small school and with a great equestrian program, is very similar to Martinez’s current lifestyle. Growing up in the small rural community of Aromas, Martinez has spent most of her time with family and her other love – horses.
“I got my first horse when I was 5 or 6,” she said.
As a well-trained English hunter jumper, Martinez plans on trying out for the Randolph-Macon equestrian team. While balancing her 4.0 GPA, hours of riding practice and varsity soccer meets, Martinez found time to be president of the Interact Club on campus – a student community service organization. During that time, she helped build houses in Mexico, helped disabled children in Prunedale and work on clothing drives.
“I enjoy sharing what I love with others,” she said. “It makes me feel good.”
Although she’s traveled throughout South America, spending a semester hiking through the Andes, Martinez said she’s excited and scared about moving across the country and leaving her family and small town life.
“For four years I’ll be living in a completely different place where I can’t come home and do laundry,” she said. “I’ll miss the safety of knowing everything and everyone around me and especially my family.”
