Student BOE representative earns Outstanding Leadership Award

Michael Martinez, student Board of Education representative and MWHS senior, will be recognized for outstanding leadership at the 42nd annual awards ceremony hosted by the Orange County Youth Bureau on June 5.

According to the school district, the award “recognizes the contributions of a youth volunteer/leader who spends his/her discretionary time helping others, works on projects that add to the betterment of the community, and demonstrates strong leadership skills.”

As noted in Martinez’s nomination, his community accomplishments include being the 12th grade student Board of Education representative, working as a Congressional Fellow for Representative Pat Ryan, interning for former Representative Sean Patrick Maloney, working at Wagon Wheel Farm and Blooming Hill Farm, helping with the campaign for Chester Town Supervisor Brandon Holdridge, being a member of the Student Leadership Committee, participating in the LEAD Mentorship Program and the United States Senate Page Program, working as an assemblyman for New York Boys State, and helping to support the Lustgarten Foundation.

The “positive community outcomes” noted in his nomination include his reports on student concerns presented during BOE meetings, fostering “leadership qualities” among the student body by providing feedback and insights on youth-related policies, organizing initiatives that help to drive voter registration and engage the community, and collaborating with local leaders and hosting events “emphasizing grassroots activism,” among others.