Meet Rachel Martinez

Rachel Martinez is about an active student there is in Baltimore County.

The Chesapeake High School senior ranks second in her class of 236 students, has taken nine Advanced Placement classes, is a member of GEM (Girls Empowerment Program) and is a member of the school’s lacrosse and volleyball teams.

A past contributor to Patch, Martinez also has a dream of being a broadcast journalist for a cable news network. The senior is a reporter/anchor and TV host for The Education Channel, Baltimore County Public School’s own cable channel.

For all of these accomplishments, Martinez was recently named “Young Woman of the Year" by the Baltimore County Commission for Women. She will be honored at the 29th Annual "Woman of the Year" reception in honor of Women’s History Month.

Patch recently spoke with Martinez about the award and how she plans on accomplishing her goals.

What did it mean for you to be named “Young Woman of the Year”?

I wouldn’t say it was validation, but it is an honor knowing that I’m being recognized for doing what I needed to do to be the best I can be.

What are your plans after graduation?

I’m planning on going to Syracuse University, where I earned a full academic scholarship. I plan on majoring in broadcast journalism.

What made you want to go into journalism?

Ever since I can remember I wanted to help inform people about what is going on in the world and let them make their own judgments based on what I reported. I’d loved to eventually work for CNN one day.

What type of reporter would you like to be after college?

I want to report on unique people and tell their stories. I also want to get out there and find stories about good news out there and how people are making a difference in the world.