With almost one year of college out of her way, Andrea Martinez has been killing it at New York University. Even though she’s 2,792 miles away from California, she and her family are still making a huge impact on students interested in theatre at SMCHS.

After Andrea graduated from SMCHS in 2015, Dave and Clara Martinez started the Martinez Family Scholarship for students who have a passion for theatre. The college scholarship offers up to $2,500  for at least three seniors at SMCHS who are interested in majoring in musical theatre, dance, acting, directing and ]more. As for the junior scholarship, it provides $7,500 of training opportunities to multiple students. The junior applicants must maintain a 3.0 GPA and must be a member of the Thespian Honor Society.

“What’s nice about this scholarship is that it provides so many opportunities,” Andrea said. “For juniors, it allows so much freedom to use the scholarship as they see fit and for what they need at that time in their development, be it training or making travel opportunities possible. For graduating seniors, it’s really great to have any kind of help with funds for college, especially if you’re pursuing an Arts degree.”

The Martinez Family Scholarship is dedicated to Andrea and the passion and career she strives to accomplish.

“We wanted to support the wonderful program that’s available to students at SM,” Clara said. “The origin was a desire to provide opportunities and to encourage the development of talent within the performing arts department that will ultimately benefit students, the program and the school.”

Andrea doesn’t see the scholarship as honoring herself, but as an opportunity to encourage and help students with similar interests.

“I admire my parents so much for stepping up and recognizing how they can help the performing arts program, so it really is just the Martinez Family Scholarship,” Andrea said. “I’m proud to be their daughter and proud that we can help students and young artists like me.”

Watching their daughter pursue her dreams almost 3,000 miles away was tough for David and Clara but seeing her succeed and enjoy her life at NYU makes it all worth it.

“It feels absolutely wonderful – a huge sense of pride,” Clara said. “We are incredibly proud, thankful and happy to see her fulfilling her dreams. We’re grateful for the foundation that she received within the performing arts department and especially Talon Theatre.”

For applicants at SMCHS, this scholarship is a way to “chase their dreams” with a little extra financial help.

“I think it’s beneficial for people that wish to pursue theatre but may not have the funds to do so,” said sophomore Devon Hunt, an applicant for the scholarship.

Theatre, in general, was a place where students like Andrea and Hunt found a passion with which they fell in love. That is the main purpose of the scholarship; to create a pathway to continue their passion for theatre.

“Theatre plays a huge role in my life because it is a place where I have truly found a family,” Hunt said. “It is where I have met people that I can really relate with and a place where I can work hard while also having an immense amount of fun.”

Getting the lead role in Hello Dolly, winning a CAPPIE for Lead Actress in Pippin’, and being selected to join the cast of Hello! My Baby, Andrea sets the bar high for younger students.

“Someone could look up to Andrea because of the numerous accomplishments she has had,” Hunt said. “She followed her dreams and her goals, and she was able to set her life on the track she wanted.”