The Highlander

Issue date: 12/11/07 Section: Feature

Media Credit: Brett Stakelin

With his father stationed with the army in the Netherlands, 16 year old Gabriel Martinez, a Denver native, plays the fatherly role to his two brothers, Dominic (13), and Isaiah (9). His responsibilities will inevitably increase when his mother gives birth to her first daughter. Martinez's mom works for the American Cancer Society, and has been involved with nonprofit organizations since Martinez was in 8th grade.

Mrs. Martinez was 18 when Gabriel was born. During Martinez's formative years, the family frequently moved around the Denver metro area. He attended about four grade schools, including St. James, Knight Academy, and Hamilton Middle School. Martinez was enrolled in the Hamilton International Baccalaureate (IB) program for 8th grade. That year his mother coincidently saw the 9 News program featuring Arrupe Jesuit High School. According to Gabriel, she immediately insisted that her son apply to this new Jesuit school.

Martinez debated between going to Arrupe and George Washington's IB program. But after shadowing another student for a day at Arrupe he was sold. "I loved the class sizes, DPS was overcrowded," Martinez said. "I felt intimidated [by Denver Public Schools]."

Martinez saw the differences between his previous experience and Arrupe. "I was coming from a DPS school to a small, family structured school," he said. The student teacher ratio was especially appealing to Martinez. "The teachers get to know our names instead of our ID numbers," he explained.

Martinez especially loves the small, close knit student body. "We even know each other's middle names, that's how close we are," Martinez said. "I consider those guys [classmates] my cousins," he went on.

Arrupe not only prepares Martinez academically, but it nurtures his innate abilities. "Before freshman year at Arrupe I was really shy; at Arrupe I have found a confidence I wasn't using before," Martinez said. This newfound confidence expanded through the work study program.

"There are times when you have to speak up in the work environment," he said. As a work study student in the Regis University admissions office, he has found a voice and is not afraid to share his ideas with his supervisor and co-workers.

Martinez reflects that he was not as outspoken during his freshman and sophomore work study experiences. Freshman year, Martinez worked at Citywide banks in Aurora where he enjoyed his co-workers but found filing work slow and repetitive. His sophomore job at Sherman and Howard, a downtown law firm, was more enjoyable because he spent his lunch hour downtown eating with friends at Little India's. Martinez was able to earn some personal money when the law firm hired him during spring break.

Continued...

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