Student: Camila Martinez
Year in School: Senior
Plans After High School: Camila plans to pursue an agriculture business and law degree. She aspires to work in food chain companies as a data analyst or a company lawyer. She will attend BC for two years to study agriculture business, then transfer to Fresno State or Cal Poly SLO; her backup plan is to enroll at CSUB. Camila has had a business interest since middle school. Her interest in the agriculture business began her freshman year when she joined the FFA. While studying business, she does not plan on forgetting about her passion for music.
What #BulldogSTRONG Means to Camila: "To me, being bulldogstrong means striving to become the best version of yourself and leaving a legacy that inspires others to look up to you and follow in your footsteps. It entails setting high standards for yourself and always working towards achieving them. Ultimately, the
goal is to be the best that you can be and to leave a positive impact on those around you."
What Makes GVHS a Special Place for Camila: "In my four years of high school, the teacher who has been very influential to me in my past four years at GV has been my band director Mrs. Torres Soto. Ever Since the start of my freshman year during the pandemic, she has been very welcoming and understanding. What I love about her is that she has always treated her students as young adults. With her advice, help, and wisdom, she has guided me towards becoming a responsible and capable young adult. Thanks to her believing in me, she has been able to push me to do great things in the Bulldog Brigade program and has given me so many challenges that she herself has known that I would be able to overcome and succeed. Pushing me to achieve has established a legacy for younger generations. The second teacher who has been very influential to me has been my agriculture teacher Ms.Soberano. From the start of my freshman year, I was a really shy person, and I wouldn't talk a lot or even participate, but she pushed me to run for chapter officer and to participate in competitions that required me to step out of my comfort zone. Her trust and help have helped me grow out of my shy self and become a stronger and more outgoing person who now is very recognized in the Golden Valley FFA program."
"During my years at Golden Valley, I participated in the Dance club for two years, the women's student union for one year, the Future Farmers of America (FFA) for four years, the indoor winter drumline for one year, and the Bulldog brigade for four years. Engaging in various programs has kept me busy. Being a band member has opened many doors and provided me with audition opportunities for the Kern County Honor Band. I was able to secure the second chair in the honors orchestra during my sophomore year and the 8th chair in the honor band during my junior year. Also thanks to my outstanding musicianship, I was able to lead the section of trumpet players my junior year which helped me expand my leadership skills in the music program. Now fast forward to my senior year, and I am the Bulldog brigade drum major. I have gotten the opportunity and experience to lead the band as a whole and conduct them and lead them in competitions and games. I feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to meet many people and develop long-lasting friendships. Last year, I participated in GV's indoor winter percussion program, which allowed me to perform and experience something new. This experience has instilled within me a newfound passion for percussion. Now in FFA, I have gotten the opportunity to be the chapter secretary my sophomore year and the chapter reporter my junior year. Through these leadership positions, I was able to get out of my comfort zone and become more social, and I have explored and learned a lot during my stand in FFA. One of the most cherished moments of this marching season was when I led the band in a competition at Centennial High School last weekend. The judges complimented me on my conducting and presentation of the band, which was very gratifying. Additionally, the band was able to secure the first-place award, which was a great honor for me as a drum major. My favorite memory in FFA has to be last year when it was our first time ever placing in the officer division in opening and closing contests."
What Teachers and Staff Think of Camila:
"Camila is an amazing Drum Major. I have seen her grow as both a person and a leader over the last four years, and she has always loved our music program, but this year she took her leadership role to a whole new level. I couldn’t be more proud of her commitment and SERVICE to her peers and the Marching Band. I know that whatever she chooses to do in the future, she will succeed because she has an amazing heart and is extremely talented." Kristen Torres, Band Director, Golden Valley High School
"Camila is a student who I have had the privilege of teaching now for the second year, with the first being her sophomore year. She is kind, and well respected by all students. She is willing to help out any student, and does not hesitate to ask questions if she is unsure of something. She also shows her dedication to her studies with her work ethic and her commitment to excellence." Dr. David Gago, Math Department Chair, Instructional Coach, Golden Valley High School
"Camila is a positive classmate and good team leader." Aaron Wright, Social Studies Teacher, Golden Valley High School
"Camila has been a great student to have for the past 3 years. I have seen her grow from a shy freshman to an outgoing and strong senior. She has been a great addition to the FFA Chapter and continues to help her younger classmen find their place in FFA. I cannot wait to see the amazing things she will accomplish when she graduates!" Cassandra Soberano, Agriculture Teacher and FFA Advisor, Golden Valley High School