Washoe Country School District
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Brian Martinez's Profile
Washoe High Student Opts for Success
Student: Brian Martinez
School: Washoe High
Washoe High School graduate-to-be Brian Martinez looks back and says his senior year has been his proudest. With three school transfers under his belt, coming to Washoe provided the sturdy link to academics that he needed.
“I can say I might have messed up my first two years, but I made up those two years in my one year at Washoe,” Brian said. “I can actually graduate with my class.”
Brian graduates in June with a traditional high school diploma after working hard to catch up on his academics. Brian said he struggled in his first three semesters spent in transition between North Valleys High School a school in Fernley. The traditional comprehensive high school environment was difficult for him to keep up with, so he transferred to Washoe High, where he said he received less homework but made his time in class more valuable.
“I had six classes my first two years,” he said. “Here, you’d do three a day and have homework in each class. I told myself I wanted to graduate at North Valleys or in Fernley and that if I can just stay on track or get ahead, I’d be fine. But I was never able to catch up. This was my choice of coming here to Washoe and saying I really want to graduate.”
Washoe counselor Jowdy Burke said Brian is a very capable student who could have chosen to receive an adult diploma at Washoe, which would have been a less intensive route to graduation, but elected to receive his traditional diploma instead.
“He’s already applied to Truckee Meadows Community College,” she said. “I think he’ll do fine up there. What the students keep telling us what works for them here is the fact that it’s a small school. Teachers really care about them as people. Every teacher here knows their students by name. The teachers bend over backwards getting to know the students as people and taking interest in their lives. Brian’s a really intelligent student.”
Brian said he developed a greater comfort in smaller classes.
“You get more one-on-one time here,” he said. “The teachers are more involved with you.”
Brian also became involved in community service while at Washoe. He’s part of the Leos club, a branch of the Lions club. He said he spent time at Lake Tahoe and Panther Valley helping to clean up the communities. He’ll use that experience when he works with his uncle in his landscaping and construction business in the future.
Brian said his best advice comes from his own experience.
“I would say if any student is out there struggling, Washoe High could be an option for their junior year,” he said. “I suggest you come here because if you don’t get on it, you’re not going to graduate on time. You’ll still have to get up early and go to work but you won’t have to worry about your future,” he said. “You’re already beginning your future.”
