Sandia Prep - 532 Magazine - Summer/Fall 2018

JAMES MARTINEK '19
Graduates in 2019 • Years at Sandia Prep Six
Interests Theater, Science • Lion or Unicorn? Unicorn
LIFE AT PREP
How would you describe yourself as a student?
Consistent, relaxed, aware, participatory, and interested.
Why did you decide to pursue the theater arts while at
Sandia Prep?
Theater, I had known, was a perfect way to express oneself
as something they are not and have fun with it. That was
mostly what drew me to theater.
Have any specific teachers, classes, or programs at Prep
influenced you?
Mr. Kelly, Mr. Polansky, and Mrs. James, because of their
incredible teaching styles, have taught me more to the
beauty of learning and wisdom than just the grades that
come out of it.
What do you plan to study in college? Why?
I would like to study something in the field of biochemisty or
molecular biology. Either that or computers. I love both of
those areas.
Where do you see yourself five years from now?
In five years, I will be somewhere completely different
than where I imagine myself in five years. That is part of
the excitement for me – the anticipation of the ways I will
change and grow during my time in college, and what new
paths that will open for me in life.
What would your dream job be? Why?
As of now, my dream job would be bioengineering safe,
reliable, and most important HARMLESS fuels for our world.
Do you have a favorite Prep memory (so far)?
One outstanding memory I have was the thrill and relief of
guessing my unknown bacteria culture correctly on my last
attempt in Mr. Polansky’s Bio 2 class.
Is it important to have art (performing and visual) in
school? If so, why?
Without a doubt! Art is yet another piece that helps shape
the puzzle of someone’s being. Without art, we are merely
books, strewn with information and no way to interpret it
or think of it in a different manner. Art is an outlet for the
human soul, an outlet of self-expression and creativity.
How has art shaped who are you today?
Art, unfortunately, is not seen as a necessary part of an
individual nearly as much as it should be. Fortunately, Prep
realizes this, making some sort of art mandatory freshman
year. For me, this has widened my horizons beyond a
classroom school setting and into the vast world of art – for
me, music.
With college quickly approaching, how has Sandia Prep
prepared you for life after college?
Papers. Oh my god, papers. I know papers will be a constant
task in college and the continuous writing requirements at
Prep have given me a good taste of how that will be.
FUTURE PLANS
Which colleges are you considering right now?
I am considering Oberlin, Kenyon, Dickinson, Johns Hopkins,
Vanderbilt, and UNM.
James's "normal state" while waiting to see
The Nutcracker at Popejoy Theater, an annual
tradition for his family.
OUTSIDE OF CLASS
What hobbies do you enjoy when you have free time?
Gaming, tennis, soccer, singing, fiddling around on the
piano, reading a GOOD book, and spending time with
friends and family.
What are your passions?
Camping, sports, learning, winning a game of poker, and
Takis.
• • • • •
532 • Summer/Fall 2018 12
Student PROFILE INTERVIEW