Clear Falls student hopes to work for Google
Like most students who will soon be graduating, Clear Falls High School senior Anthony Martinez is looking forward to being done with school, having more independence and starting a new chapter of his life in college.
Martinez is headed to the University of Houston-Clear Lake to study network security, he thinks.
Martinez has had to overcome challenges to reach this point, though he would be the last person to acknowledge any obstacles.
Martinez, 18, has used a wheelchair for much of his life because of a degenerative disorder called spinal muscular atrophy, a debilitating condition that causes his muscles to atrophy or weaken and for which there is no cure.
“I don’t think about it too much,” said Martinez, who lives with his parents, younger brother and older sister in Seabrook. “I don’t let it get in the way.” And his condition doesn’t seemed to have dampen his spirits or his dreams to pursue his passion for computers, one day work at Google and live independently.
“I don’t think there’s ever been a day when he’s been in a bad mood,” said Teri Starr, who teaches Martinez’ computer classes. “He has built a good rapport with other students, and he seems to tackle any challenge I’ve put in front of him — he has such a good attitude.”
Martinez credits his success to the school for providing the resources he needs such as an adapted desk, making it easy to get around and providing the opportunity to take courses that piqued his interest in computers.
He said he’s always enjoyed playing games and staying connected with friends on the computer, but he developed a passion for computer technology when he took a maintenance class in his junior year.
The computer technician and game programming courses he’s taken in his senior year further fed his passion for computer technology.
In the meantime, he earned an entry level certification for computer maintenance technician.
“I think the school really did a good job in helping me out and getting me to places I needed to get to,” Martinez said.
“I didn’t really have any challenges.”
Martinez also credits his family for its support and particularly his father, who has instilled in him a strong work ethic.
Martinez said his father came to the United States from Mexico at age 8 with nothing and started picking vegetables and working on farms in Florida to earn a living.
Now Martinez’s father is a sales representative for a pipe company, while his mom works at a dental office.
“I look up to him and see how successful he has become,” said Martinez, who earned mostly A’s and B’s.
While Martinez has depended on his older sister, a student at nearby San Jacinto College, to ferry him to and from school in the family’s adapted Honda Element, he hopes to soon get an adaptive vehicle of his own, to propel him towards independence.
He said his condition, which mostly affects his lower extremities, has been stable for several years, and he expects to lead a long and full life.
That also goes for what he does in his spare time.
When he’s not messing with computers, Martinez likes to go fishing, hunt and plan fun activities with friends.
Student support counselor Mondee Stone said friends describe Martinez as a “perpetual planner of fun get-togethers.”
“I think he’s going to succeed in anything he tries,” Starr said.