Talk of Arizona | Page 13

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Talk of Arizona

Fa;ll 2015

Martinez began studying journalism and education in 2003, pursuing his love of civics.

He brought that passion with him into his many leadership roles during college. He served as a student delegate for the National Education Association Representative Assembly and a student regent for the Arizona Board of Regents.

“I definitely learned to listen—a lot,” Martinez said. “You have to be able to listen to a lot of different ideas and viewpoints and work that is being done at the university and try to make the best possible decision based on what information you’ve collected or were given.

”After getting involved in some campaigning, he became the secretary for the Young Democrats club and took over his friend Alicia Cybulski’s role as president when she graduated.

“He is the hardest worker I have ever met,” Cybulski said. “He wants to make everyone feel comfortable, and he wants everyone to know each other.”

She said while they were in the club together, they worked to organize voter registration drives and support a bill increasing punishments for spousal rape.