RAFAEL MARTINEZ

“The most courageous thing one can do is to follow their greatest ambitions. I am truly grateful and humbled to be a part of Tim O’Shaughnessy’s legacy, and both surround myself with and contribute to such an ambitious group of lifelong learners and explorers.”

Rafael Martinez

College:

Coming Soon!

Major:

International Business

High School:

Maize South High School, 2024
Wichita, KS

Activities and Interests:

Cross Country
Track
Volunteering
Wichita Mayor's Youth Council
Business Professionals of America
National Honor Society
Literature

Rafael Martinez of Maize South High School is an eager recipient of the 2024 Timothy P. O’Shaughnessy Foundation’s Lifelong Learning Scholarship.

Rafael is a native of Wichita, KS, and was raised the second of four siblings by parents Karlee Rose and Fernando Martinez. His family taught him to be patient and kind but also how to be persistent and ambitious. They instilled in him a strong work ethic and passion that is yet to fail him.

At Maize South, Rafael partakes in a variety of activities. During autumn, he spends his time after school as a Cross Country Captain and has led this team to state. During the spring, he runs for the school’s Track Team. He is his school’s Business Professionals of America Chapter President and acts as the State Secretary. He spent the 2022-23 school year as the State Treasurer. Rafael is also the Chapter Treasurer for his local National Honor Society. These valuable experiences have taught him leadership and compassion in order to help elevate those around him. He has also participated in debate and was delighted to engage in discussions over important international security issues.

Outside of school, he reads literature and volunteers every weekend with his mother at ParkRun, an organization that promotes healthy living and community by providing a free 5k race every Saturday morning. He also is a member of the Wichita Mayor’s Youth Council and works with an issue group led by the youth to combat homelessness in Wichita.

Rafael has yet to decide on a college but plans on applying to 17 schools across the nation. He plans to study abroad in a Spanish-speaking country and pursue a postgraduate degree with a focus on International Business. He also plans to spend time across the globe in order to learn as much about the world as he can. He values perspective and seeks to understand the very world around him.

Rafael is very excited about what his future has to offer and is eternally indebted to the Timothy P. O’Shaughnessy Foundation for creating so many opportunities for him to pursue. He is excited to see what doors have opened and to contribute to the Foundation just as much as he will benefit.