A whistle blows. Drums roll.
“The W.B. Ray Band is under the field direction of head drum major Diego Martinez and assistant drum majors Carla Garza and Kim Seo,” the announcer says.
At the 50 yard line, Diego Martinez and the other drum majors salute, then break off to their separate spots on the field.
Martinez sets down his saxophone, looks at Garza, nods, and climbs up the podium.
“Five, six. Five, six, seven, eight!”
It’s in moments like these — focused, composed, and in control — that Martinez truly shines. So if you’re looking for someone who represents the word “balance” in all its facets, senior Diego Martinez is definitely your guy.
“I’m Student Council president, multicultural affairs chair, head drum major, woodwind section leader, NJROTC Commanding Officer, UIL Accounting team leader… And I do orchestra, Mu Alpha Theta, Spanish Honor Society, NHS, AAPI, VASE, and the Texan Times.”
Somehow, Martinez makes all of that look easy. Known for his strong presence, students here at Ray see him as a leader in every sense of the word. Whether he’s organizing events, guiding his teams, or mentoring younger students, Martinez’s influence is felt across campus.
Martinez’s high school journey has been full of memorable moments, with one of the most unforgettable being his experience at the TASC (Texas Association of Student Councils) annual conference this year.
“The best part was going to Six Flags, of course!” Martinez said. “We also had the opportunity to vote for state officers for the upcoming school year and learn lots of leadership skills and project ideas that I hope StuCo will implement in the following years.”
Many, including myself, see Martinez as a role model. That’s a given, because a big part of his character comes from his ability to connect with others, inside and outside of his many roles.
“I’m a lot more outgoing, and I’ve become a better advocate for myself and others, especially due to the positions I hold in certain organizations,” he reflected.
Martinez credits his nature and skills to his various responsibilities — but also to the people who helped him along the way.
When asked who made the biggest impact on his high school experience, he didn’t hesitate: “My past drum majors, Jewel and Sebastian, and definitely Mr. Mudd.”
Martinez joined the Texan Times this March after writing and designing two posts for the Instagram account.
“I realized that not a lot of ground can be covered by a smaller team, so I wanted to help branch out and get perspectives from other organizations that aren’t represented in Texan Times currently, that I can probably help out with,“ he said. He’s been working on several articles and helping behind the scenes.
“Journalism is great for those who want to write compelling stories and reach out to make connections in a community made accessible by the touch of a screen. Because of how little I got to do this in high school, I’d definitely love to explore journalism more in college. I’ll write for The Paisano if I’m able to attend UTSA this upcoming fall!”
Martinez plans to attend either The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) or the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), majoring in electrical engineering technology.
As graduation approaches, Martinez leaves a legacy of leadership, balance, and unwavering commitment. And for the many students who look up to him, that legacy is sure to inspire long after the final whistle blows.
“Grad Staff” is a special series by the Texan Times that highlights the amazing seniors who are graduating this year! Each article will showcase a different senior in the Texan Times, sharing their accomplishments, favorite memories, and future plans. Through this, we’ll celebrate the hard work, dedication, and unique personalities of the Class of ‘25, while also reflecting on their time at RHS.
