Summit High’s Edeyanira Martinez earns assistance to attend Colorado Mountain College
“Do it for your future.”
Edeyanira Martinez can still hear her father’s words in her mind as she studies, does her homework and prepares for college. Her father passed away several years ago, leaving behind Edeyanira, her three sisters and her mother.
“My father’s words have echoed in my mind since middle school,” said Martinez. “They have been my motivation to push myself and create good experiences out of the bad. Every single day I try my hardest and will keep on trying my best to achieve that bright future my dad talked about.”
Because of her hard work and determination, she is among 13 students from 12 Western Slope high schools to receive a special Alpine Bank scholarship to attend Colorado Mountain College this fall.
Alpine Bank’s Latino/Hispanic Scholarship program promotes diversity in the college’s student body and puts higher education within reach for qualified Latino high school graduates from Eagle, Garfield, Pitkin, Routt and Summit counties. The scholarship covers the cost of books, fees and tuition for two years. Many of the scholars will be the first in their families to attend college.
At Colorado Mountain College, Martinez will take classes that will eventually help her achieve a career in health care. She has her eye on becoming a dental hygienist.
While in school, she and other scholars will receive support from Yesenia Arreola, the college’s youth outreach coordinator. Arreola, a CMC grad and former Alpine Bank Scholar herself, helps students and parents navigate the college process and find tools for success.
“I’m their ‘go to’ person for academic and personal issues, especially in their first semester when they might feel lost,” Arreola said. “For first-generation college students, it’s really important to have someone that can help support you while in school.”
Creating a better future through diligence, education
Ever since her father died, Martinez has had to work to help support her family. She takes care of cooking, cleaning and other chores at home, and she’s also worked jobs at restaurants and stores. She tries to be a good role model for her two younger sisters, helping and encouraging them to do their best in school. Her older sister is also currently enrolled at Colorado Mountain College, studying nursing.
As a determined student herself, Martinez was in the pre-collegiate program at Summit High School. Her teachers say she’s a diligent student who doesn’t settle for anything but her best effort. In addition to her academic skills, they say her volunteerism in school and community activities goes beyond normal expectations.
“With these traits, Nira has the ability to create a rewarding future for herself and her family,” said teacher Andrea Kubick.
This year’s other scholarship recipients and their respective high schools are Baneza Andrades Vargas, Aspen; Maritza Araiza (merit scholar) and Kevin Kiyoshi Nakagawa, Basalt; Dolly Contreras, Glenwood Springs; Natalie Avila, Yampah Mountain; Venezia Cuadras, Coal Ridge; Heidi Acosta, Rifle; Levi Ernest, Red Canyon; Stella Martinez, Battle Mountain; Damian Montes, Eagle Valley; Oscar Tena, Roaring Fork; and Ana Orellana, Steamboat Springs.