When Annaya Martinez arrived at Archbishop Carroll High School in Washington as a ninth grader, she didn’t picture herself leading tours, speaking at open houses or helping to restart the girls’ soccer program. Four years later, she has done all of that while maintaining one of the highest GPAs in her class and earning a full scholarship to Mount St. Mary’s University in Emmitsburg, Maryland.
A first-generation American and the daughter of immigrant parents from Honduras and El Salvador, Martinez has remained focused on her education since freshman year. Now a member of the National Honor Society, she has regularly earned recognition on the Principal’s List at Archbishop Carroll.
“I am the child of an immigrant family,” Martinez said. “My mom immigrated from Honduras at the age of nine, and though my dad was born here, he was raised in El Salvador from infancy.” She credits her two grandmothers, both devout Catholics, with instilling in her a deep faith and strong work ethic. “They always taught me to trust in God and put Him before anything.”
Outside of school, she draws spiritual encouragement from her parish, St. Ambrose in Cheverly, Maryland. She admires Father Alejandro Díaz for connecting homilies to youth experience. “He gives ‘parent-style’ advice,” she said.
Martinez chose St. Catherine of Bologna, the patron saint of artists, as her Confirmation saint. She also enjoys painting, crocheting and making friendship bracelets.
Her faith deepened during junior year when she lost her childhood best friend to brain cancer. “I really looked for God during that time,” she said.
Martinez joined Archbishop Carroll in ninth grade after attending public and charter schools. She described the shift as transformative. “There’s a huge difference,” she said. “Here, they take how you carry yourself seriously. I felt safer. I felt like I could trust everyone in the building.”
Archbishop Carroll, a coed Catholic high school, is sponsored by The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington.
Over four years, Martinez immersed herself in campus life. She played volleyball, and was responsible for reviving the girls’ soccer program as a goalkeeper. She also danced on the school’s Latin team, which competed at the Kennedy Center’s High School Latin Dance competition.
Her most meaningful activity, she said, was serving as co-president of the Student Ambassador Program. It was an experience that helped her find her voice as a leader and representative of the school. “I didn’t think I was capable,” she said. “But I pushed through. Taking on that leadership role was hard, but worth it.” She led school tours, hosted open houses, and represented Carroll in the broader community.
Martinez credits strong mentorship from school staff, especially Cindy Giron, the school registrar. “She started the same year I did. We’ve grown together these last four years.”
At Mount St. Mary’s University, Martinez plans to study biology or health sciences on a pre-med track. Her goal is to become a pediatrician.
“I’m very sympathetic. I like helping people,” she said. “I hope my empathy and love for kids help me serve families in the future.”
As the oldest of three siblings, she takes on many responsibilities at home. Her mother works two jobs, and Martinez said her 13-year-old sister Tatiana will likely take on more in her absence. “I’ll be calling constantly, making sure everything’s on track,” she said.
Asked what advice she’d offer new students, she said, “Don’t be afraid to ask for help. I’ve always been independent, but you don’t have to do it all alone.”
She said she’ll leave Carroll with one lasting lesson: “Have good time management, but enjoy life as it happens.”
She described her senior year in three words: “Hilarious. Sentimental. Best.” And if she could pick one song to walk the stage to at graduation, it would be “Congratulations” by Post Malone.
While proud of her academic and leadership accomplishments, Martinez said her greatest achievement is the example she hopes to have set.
“I just want to thank my family,” she said. “They’ve been my biggest supporters through everything.”
As she prepares to leave Carroll, Martinez does so with a stronger sense of who she is and a deep appreciation for the support that helped shape her.
