MMHMF Scholarship Recipient
Martina is a high honors graduate, 4.7 GPA, of Maggie L. Walker Govenor’s School (MLWGS), where she was in the gifted program and the school’s dual enrollment program with VA Commonwealth University (VCU). Her performance in all disciplines - English, Math, Science, Social Studies, Foreign Languages, Arts, and Advanced College Courses Program – was stellar! She is majoring in biomedical engineering at the University of VA.
Martina’s high school activities included:
- MLWGS Girl's Varsity Tennis, 2 times Captain and 3 times #1 seed
- 2024 Richmond All-Metro Girls Tennis Player of the Year
- Student Council Association Junior and Senior Class Co-President
- VCU Dept of Orthopedic Surgery Research Mentee for Head of the Dept
Martina owned a tennis business, she worked 5+ hours per week. She was a member of the Italian National Honor Society, President 2024-2025; and she was on the MLWGS Varsity Field Hockey Team, left-mid starter. Other activities:
- MLWGS Student Ambassador Organizations; Co-Coordinator, lead 90+ students in tje school volunteering program
- MLWGS Environmental Club; President Junior and Senior Year; coordinated groups of 25+ students to collect trash from school grounds;
- Chesterfield Food Bank (major Spanish translator between volunteers and patrons);
- St Francis Hospital (General Services Volunteer; Spanish translator when necessary; earned award for volunteering 75 hours).
Martina also plays the piano, which she has done since kindergarten, traveling to Colombia or Argentina each year to visit family, spending time in the kitchen baking with her brother, and playing tennis, which she has done for 12 years, are very important and meaningful occurrences in Martina’s life. She has been a very thoughtful leader in her community. She is fluent in English and Spanish and has frequently been a translator at her local food bank and hospital.
An entrepreneur, Martina values independence. While in high school, she started her own tennis business. Martina is passionate about the field of Biomedical Engineering (BME). Her most exciting experience was being a volunteer in the lab of the head of biomedical research for orthopedic nerve recovery.
Martina is grateful for the example set by her two hard-working immigrant parents, who were a tremendous source of encouragement for her during many difficult times. She learned to “No te rindas,” meaning “never give up!”
