According to English and Speech/Debate teacher Jennifer Kindred, Angel Martinez’s, “hard work and eagerness to learn,” make him a successful student in the challenging times of high school.

Martinez is a junior at Foothill and is a part of the Ventura Unified School District Migrant Education Program. As a part of the program, he won the Migrant Education Student of the year award for his academic achievements.

“It means a lot. My hard work and dedication has paid off,” Martinez said.

The Migrant Education Program provides opportunities for students with at least one parent working in the fields. Martinez’s father is a migrant worker; he has been in the program since he was four.

With a packed schedule of two AP classes and one honors class, Martinez is very committed to achieving his academic goals.

“I want to major in computer science at UC Santa Cruz or UC Berkeley,” he said.

Kindred is one of the debate coaches for the Migrant Education debate team. She describes Martinez as the kind of student who “soaks in” everything she says and doesn’t get wrapped up in the drama of the demanding AP classes.

“Some students enjoy the drama of AP classes and like to play up the stress. Angel is very pragmatic and doesn’t give in to the drama. He is quiet, but every time I look at him he is engaged and I can tell he is with me,” Kindred said.

Mathematics and AVID teacher Anthony Villa, who is also a coach for the Migrant Ed debate team, says Martinez is “a really kind individual.”

“He is someone that pays really close attention and enjoys his class work and being involved when he can,” Villa said.

The Foothill Migrant Ed debate team will be attending their first regional competition in March, where they will be debating the topic of whether or not people planning to have a baby should be required to attend parenting classes. The members of the team, who are from Ventura and Buena High School as well as Foothill, will have to research and be prepared to debate either side of the argument. If the team is successful, they will advance to the state competition in February.

Along with being involved in the debate team and AVID, Martinez also tutors the middle and elementary schools students in Migrant Ed during the summer.

“He puts a lot of time and effort into everything he does. He is a really cool kid,” Villa said.