NEVER FAR FROM THE SPOTLIGHT

Martinez White, Senior, Juneau Business School, Milwaukee

 

A natural leader, Martinez delivered a powerful speech at the PEOPLE recognition banquet in the summer of 2005. He also led efforts before the Milwaukee Public Schools board and the public to keep his high school open.

"We like this environment. We like what we're learning here."

—Martinez White, Solomon Juneau Business High School

"Black Students Are Being Derailed," Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, November 9, 2005

If you attended the PEOPLE Third-Year Student Recognition banquet held July 29 in Madison’s Kohl Center, you probably remember Martinez White (pictured right with his mother and sister).

This high honors student from Solomon Juneau Business High School in Milwaukee made a powerful speech to the approximately 300 parents, mentors, university officials, corporate supporters and students in attendance. A natural leader, Martinez is never far from the spotlight.

As student council and senior class president he recently led a group of students and parents wearing “Keep Juneau Alive” T-shirts in a march to the Milwaukee School Board Meeting in November. He asked supporters to stand and raise their fists as he spoke. Many stood throughout much of the meeting.

"You’re putting us in foster care, if Juneau is closed,” Martinez said, referring to the school’s teachers as parent figures and to the innovative and high-quality programs offered.

“We like this environment. We like what we’re learning here. We want the school to stay, ” he said on the 10 o’clock WTMJ-4 News.

Despite a passionate plea from Martinez and about 50 others, the Milwaukee School Board voted 5-4 to close Juneau.

Martinez is an intern at Strive Media Institute, which provides hands-on training in print and broadcast journalism. He frequently airs his own segments on WTMJ-TV (Channel 4) for the emmy-award winning program “Gumbo TV.” We believe him when he says “I always strive for flawless perfection.”