Ana Martinez is 15 and in 10th grade at Blue Springs High School this year.

She describes herself as loyal, caring, attentive, and very mindful.

She is the daughter of a single mother; she has two siblings: Edwin,17, and Gabriella, 9.

Growing up as a child of a single mother, Ana watched her mom work extremely hard to support her family. Her mom worked full-time shifts but always made sure she spent time with her, “My mom made $9 an hour working full shifts but always made time for me and my brother.”

Years later, her mom can start her own daycare and has her own business, but her license is in Kansas, so she is a party coordinator instead.

Her mom instilled in Ana the importance of working hard. She works hard inside and outside of school. Ana currently monitors, makes food, and hosts private parties at Fun Run at least 16 hours a week. She’s been working there for almost a year. It’s her first real job besides babysitting.

On the other hand, she is very excited about this upcoming school year because it’s one step closer to her graduating and walking across the stage.

Although she is excited, she also fears growing because “I’m scared to be away from my family because they want to stay here at Blue Springs, and I’ll be moving back to Topeka, my hometown, once I graduate.”

However, as an adult, she plans to go to a trade school for marketing to become a cosmetologist and realtor.

Her mom would go all out for her birthday parties while also still working long shifts.