Val strives to make a difference in and outside of the classroom. photo by Erin Thompson
Val Olivarez-Martinez is a prime example of a leader who exemplifies what it means to be a Spartan.
Throughout the halls of Thomas Jefferson High School, countless leaders can be seen making an impact within the school as well as the community. However, one leader in particular continues to set the bar high. Senior Valeria Olivares-Martinez (Val) showcases TJ’s values through her commitment to her academic, extracurricular, and social life.
During her freshman year, Olivares-Martinez was on the girls’ volleyball team and participated in the school play, Twelfth Night. Throughout her sophomore year, she played volleyball again and also played club volleyball at Dive. It wasn’t until her junior year that she really kicked things into gear, where she not only played volleyball in the fall but was also on the swim team in the winter. Along with playing an additional sport, Olivares-Martinez joined TJ’s Sustainability Club, became a member in the school’s National Honors Society, volunteered as the boys’ volleyball team manager, and did an internship at a nonprofit organization called Good Trouble. During her senior year, everything was put into place as she became a member of the varsity volleyball team, continued to be on the swim team, was promoted to co-president in Sustainability club, became vice president of National Honors Society, was chosen to be an executive board committee member for Good Trouble, and is planning to manage the boys’ volleyball team once again.
Olivares-Martinez believes that one of the most impactful activities she participates in is Sustainability Club. After finding enjoyment in her AP Environmental Science class sophomore year, her teacher, Brett Butera, persuaded her to join Sustainability Club. Olivares-Martinez explained that after joining the club she “fell in love with it and it became one of the best communities ever.” Before joining AP Environmental Science, Olivares-Martinez believed that “sustainability was for hippies.” It wasn’t until Butera opened her eyes to the importance of educating oneself on Earth’s properties and needs that she found a passion hiding among environmental science. She stated that while in Butera’s class, “I would be so locked in on his lectures just because I found them so interesting, and the entire workload was made so easy just because I thought everything was so fascinating.”
Along with Butera’s influence, Olivares-Martinez stated that her math teacher, Brock Strickland, also played a big part in her educational outlook, as “he taught me that even if you’re frustrated at something at first, you can get better and learn how to be good at it, and that’s why I love math so much.” TJ social studies Dakota Trammell has also aided Olivares-Martinez throughout her years at TJ, as she helped and guided her through hardships whenever she needed a change in perspective. Olivares-Martinez encourages freshmen to join clubs as soon as possible, because “it enables you to so many opportunities…I wouldn’t have anything if I hadn’t joined Sustainability Club.” She also believes that friendships play a big role in someone’s high school career. She advises people to, “leave behind all the superficial things like drama and to focus on the people you know really care about you, because those are the people who will get you through high school.”
As of right now, Olivares-Martinez is planning on going into a field dedicated to environmental engineering, which she explains, “focuses on real world problems.” While explaining her passion for environmental-centered subjects, she highlighted that “this is what I want to do for the rest of my life because it makes work feel easy and it makes work a fun thing to do.” She isn’t quite sure what college she will attend right now, but she is leaning towards staying in-state and either going to University of Colorado or Colorado State University. Her extensive participation in multiple activities takes up a lot of free time, but she explains that when she does have extra time to kill she enjoys hanging out with her friends, going thrifting, playing volleyball, swimming, and spending time with her family. She also regards her beloved dog, Nikki, as her “idol.”
It’s apparent that Olivares-Martinez’s presence within the TJ community is valued by students and teachers alike. Throughout her four years, she has accomplished a substantial amount of feats while sustaining and building upon countless friendships. Anyone looking for a prime example of a successful and well-balanced student merely has to glance at her as she passes through the hallway with a smile on her face. After she graduates this spring, her contributions to the TJ academic and social community will continue to be present within the school’s walls.
