Kallen Martinez '26 Recruiting Profile

Recently when I was inducted into the National Honors Society, they asked me to write about what it means to be honored? It caused me to reflect on where I have been and the experiences I have had, and how living with honor has shaped my life so far. 

To me, honor can be described as high respect or great esteem. However, honor truly fully defined is to adhere to what is right or to a conventional standard of conduct.  Honor comes with many positive attributes like respect and acknowledgement. More importantly and often overlooked is the truth that honor comes with great duty and responsibility. Like being a superhero. To be honored, one will be recognized for character but also be self-propelled to maintain a high caliber of character. Which involves a great deal of self-sacrifice.

I have a lifetime of experience bearing the greatest honorable duty, I was born into a military family. Through this experience, I have had to endure and overcome the obstacles that come with being part of the military community. This includes moving every one to three years, rebuilding a life of community and service at each new home. Additionally, as a US Army Special Forces (Green Beret), we had to send my father to war multiple times. We knew that when he called, I needed to be strong and not let him see the hurt, fear, and longing in my eyes for fear he may get distracted by my pain, possibly make a mistake and never come home. One last demonstration of my fortitude is the role I have played in our community with other children experiencing our unique lifestyle. I have held my friends’ hands while they buried their fathers, and siblings. I have been in the waiting room keeping other military kids busy while their mothers’ delivered babies with strangers because the father was deployed. Our life is not for the faint of heart. We do it not for glory or honor but to protect our way of life. The most important lesson I have learned is that freedom isn’t free.

No part of me wants pity or sympathy. It’s a choice, and every time before my dad signs up again, we all vote yes or no. As you can see, the answer is clear, YES. Through this life experience, I have become a stronger and a more self-sufficient individual. Although, we are only permitted a glimpse into communities, IMG has become my constant home while my father served in South America. 

Throughout my time at IMG Academy, I have worked hard to embody scholarship, leadership, service, and character in my academic pursuits, extracurricular activities, and international service. I have maintained academic success, participated in athletics, and have volunteered in the past with an orphanage in Colombia teaching English to orphans. I exhibit the character, leadership, and commitment to service and scholarship necessary to represent any institution of higher learning.  I understand just how valuable higher education is and am thankful for your consideration.