Martina Renee Black, Class of 2003
Martina is one of the special few who have been a PSI Teen Leader throughout all four years of high school. She heard about the program through a friend, thought it sounded like something she wanted to do, and the rest is history. She has many good friends who all understand her stance on the subject of premarital sex. "They know me, and respect my opinions. Some of them wish that they had been a part of PSI, too."
"I feel like I had an advantage having both parents present in the household." This has played a major role in her life. She wanted to participate in PSI because she knew that the information being taught about boundaries and consequences of engaging in premarital sex was not being discussed in the schools openly. Martina simply wanted to help get the information out there that she thinks needs to be heard by all kids.
As a sophomore, Martina set a huge goal for herself. She decided that she wanted to become the valedictorian of her graduating class. Through hard work and dedication, Martina graduated from Hughes High School and accomplished this goal. How did she do it? "When I wanted to relax from schoolwork, I would push myself even more to get a grade I knew I could achieve." She says that it was not what most people think. She wasn't consumed with her studies and she makes it clear that she did have a social life. Balancing school, work, and her personal time just seemed to come naturally to her. Her relationship with God also helped her achieve this goal, and is an important part of her life.
Martina won numerous awards and scholarships for her efforts and is very proud of her accomplishments. In the fall, she will be attending The Ohio State University with all four years of her tuition paid. She earned the Thomas Hughes Scholarship, The Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Scholarship, Smart Bankers Scholarship, as well as a scholarship from General Electric. These awards totaled over $7,000.00. She won the member of the year award from the National Society of Black Engineers Cincinnati Chapter, and also won the presidential award for her academics and community service. Martina received special honors from Miami University of Ohio as well as the University of Cincinnati where she had to complete a group project for Procter & Gamble. She won an academic bowl award for her knowledge of black history month and is among Hughes High School's students in Who's Who.
One reason that Martina received so many scholarships was because she was highly involved in extracurricular activities. In addition to her job at LaRosa's, she is a member of Youth to Youth, a program through the Center for Peace Education that helps to end racial ignorance and stereotypes. She is a member of Upward Bound, where she was able to earn credits for college while in high school. She was also a Cincinnati Academic of Math and Science (CAMAS) Scholar, where she was able to take a class at Miami University of Ohio. In Black Achievers, she took computer and speech classes throughout the school year, and served on the YMCA teen board advisory committee to encourage teens to participate in activities that gave back to the community.
Even with all she has done she wants to remember that she has setbacks like everyone else. "It is important to acknowledge your weaknesses, learn from them, and then move on."
Read more PSI Teen Leader Profiles.
