Frederickburg College Student's Advocacy Had Lasting Impact At UMW

FREDERICKSBURG, VA — Virginia is full of bright, driven young people making a difference in and out of the classroom. That’s why Patch and T-Mobile have teamed up to spotlight students excelling in academics, athletics and community service.

This submission comes from Omega Nicholson, who nominated Martina of Virginia.

If you know a student who deserves recognition, we want to hear about them! Click here to nominate them to be featured as a Star Student on Patch.

What is the star student’s name?

Martina

What grade is the student in?

Senior at UMW

How do you know the star student?

Daughter

Tell us about your star student's accomplishments and why they deserve to be recognized on Patch!

Martina has fully embraced and used her time at the University of Mary Washington. Throughout her 4 years, she’s had several roles: Student Alumni Ambassador, Tour guide, Peer Mentor. She is also a part of the NAACP chapter- Women of Color and the student service program. She's an author at Fredericksburg Free Press. She is also the school Mascot( Sammy the Eagle). She has engaged in several community outreach projects. Martina has made a huge impact on the Campus of UMW. She has successfully lobbied and won an impact grant of $4000. With this money, she has bought and installed four “Aunt Flow” machines and supplied menstrual products to last the campus for a year. Martina had fought to eradicate period poverty. The machines were installed in female toilets and dorms around campus. The machines are easily accessible for those with visual and physical disability as well as everyone else. The products are free for students to access. Martina wants the machines to continuously be supplied with sanitary products long after she graduates to ensure no student goes without the basic necessity.

Throughout her internship with the communication department, she has created a series called “Downtown Time”. Although for a project, downtown time is fitting to be used as a tourist advert for the downtown Fredericksburg area to bring visitors and UMW prospective students to the area. The series of 9 one-minute videos can be viewed on YouTube.

In the last month, Martina has been nominated for 5 awards on Campus and has won the Grace Mann Launch award, which is given as recognition for incredible impact on campus. Martina was the host of the award ceremony, and to the joy of her co-workers and schoolmates, her name was called as the winner for this award.

It is quite astonishing that Martina immersed herself in campus life, clubs and advocated for equality and fairness. While at the same time works on Campus and is a double major in Communication and digital studies and philosophy & pre-law with a GPA of 3.5. She has found time, passion and patience to make a lasting impact at UMW and the surrounding communities. She is currently winding down her very busy college life. She graduates this week. She will progress to law school, but in true Martina style, she wants to work for a nonprofit for a year before going on to her next chapter. She is truly a remarkable individual. One colleague who works with her on Campus sums it up. “When Martina graduates, the college will lose 10 students all in one”. Such has been the impact of this phenomenal young Lady.

What three words best describe your star student?

Trailblazing, humble, leader

Keep up the great work, Martina If you know an outstanding student who deserves recognition, we want to hear about them! Click here to nominate them to be featured on Patch.