Wallkill Senior High School senior Marco Martini was appointed on Wednesday, September 21, as the newest Ex-Officio Student Board Member for the 2022-2023 school year. District Clerk Kelli Corcoran administered the oath of office in the presence of board members and other audience members.

The third child of Jude and Carolyn Martini, Martini shared that he is no stranger to holding various leadership positions and roles within the various groups and organizations he has been a part of and he looks forward to being part of the board of education. Martini has held the title of class president during his junior and senior year, serves as Flight Commander and Color Sergeant for the Civil Air Patrol, serves as captain for both his tennis and wrestling teams, a section leader in the Wallkill Wind Ensemble and is a senior patrol leader within the Boy Scouts of America.

“I feel like I’m really prepared because throughout my life, I’ve been exposed to multiple leadership roles, and all of them involve public speaking. And writing in some capacity,” Martini said. “Let’s be honest, it’s one of my favorite things to do. Just meeting new people speaking to others, is something I’ve always prided myself on.”

On the night of the swearing in ceremony, Martini’s parents were present in the audience along with several other teachers and district administrators. “I’m very blessed to have two really supportive parents. I wouldn’t be half the man I am today without my mom and dad,” Martini said.

Martini shared that he is now the only one out of his three other siblings who has achieved a position like this so he claims bragging rights, but he did receive several texts and calls from his brothers who congratulated him.

Martini was offered the position as the student representative from Wallkill High School principal Brian Masopust. Masopust highlighted Martini’s kindness, dedication, work ethic, service mindedness and involvement even while still being a three sport athlete and musician at the high school.

“Each school year, I’m tasked with finding a student who I think embodies all the values and qualities of our community here at Wallkill. This year, when Marco was a rising senior this summer, it was a no brainer for me to nominate him,” Masopust stated. “He embodies everything that our community, our school community represents.”

According to Martini, he has known Masopust since he was a wrestler in eighth grade. At the time, Masopust previously served as the athletic director and Martini was grateful to be offered the position. “Coming into his office and him offering the position, it was really a pleasure,” Martini said.

For Martini, as the newly appointed student representative, his goal is to see other departments and school clubs within the school receive equal highlight and focus to really highlight all the Wallkill High School students have to offer and to have more students come out and support one another. Martini would also like to work and speak with administrators about the possibility of creating an JROTC program at the school.

During Martini’s freshman year, the COVID pandemic first started and over the last few years it has been a long road; but now a senior, Martini is grateful to have made it this far. For now Martini shared that he is currently in the process of beginning to send out applications to various colleges and universities, will be working towards his Eagle Scout certification and will begin training for the various sports that he competes in at Wallkill.

Along with these applications, Martini has also started to apply for Reserve Officers’ Training Corps [ROTC] scholarships with the aspiration to join the United States Navy or Air Force Martini’s future aspirations are to graduate and follow in his two older brother’s footsteps by attending Cornell University in the fall of 2023. He plans to major in industrial labor relations.

“I would definitely tell the students is just get involved. Whether it be sports, music, art club, drama, science club, just really get involved in your district,” said Martini. “Don’t really pay too much of what other kids think about you.”