By ALEXANDREA BAILEY
editor@portisabelsouthpadre.
18-year-old Point Isabel ISD [PIISD] Valedictorian Oasys Martinez has been attending the district since the beginning of her school tenure.
She describes PIISD as a “tight-knit community” and says the closeness has helped push her to achieve the things she has, including graduating as Valedictorian.
“Everyone knows everyone. It feels like you’re at home,” said Martinez. “The teachers are able to focus on you more, and you’re able to have a bond with everyone because everyone grows up together.”
Martinez acknowledges that trying her best at the online courses enacted as a result of COVID-19, helped her achieve a high GPA.
“I decided to really focus on my work because I saw it as an advantage to not be in a classroom, and to learn on my own,” said Martinez.
PIISD offers many pathways to success, one being its medical courses. With the help of the district, Martinez is now EKG, CPR and AED certified.
“I definitely feel accomplished because I was able to put in the work,” said Martinez. “I want to go into the medical field and I feel if I pursue these things in high school, it will look good on my resume, and I can get further background before going into my career.”
Martinez says that she has always wanted to help people and that that is an important aspect of her Hispanic culture. She cares for her 76-year-old grandfather, Manuel Martinez, giving him his medications and accompanying her mother to his doctor appointments.
“It makes me feel very accomplished at the end of the day when I am able to make him happy,” said Martinez.
Coming from a large family, according to Martinez, she wanted to succeed for them.
“They push me to be the woman I am today,” said Martinez.
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