Senior Story: Ronaldo Gomez Martinez

For Ronaldo Gomez Martinez, or “Rony” as his friends and teachers affectionately call him, high school has been a place of growth, discovery and quiet determination. This spring, he celebrates not only graduation but a powerful milestone—becoming the first person in his family to go to college.

Rony plans to attend the University of Minnesota Duluth this fall, majoring in mechanical engineering. Though he’s still exploring which branch of engineering he’ll pursue, his motivation is clear: “I want to solve problems the world is facing and know that what I’ve worked hard on was able to help others.”

From a young age, Rony was drawn to math and science. His curiosity, however, has never been limited to the classroom. One of his favorite hobbies is baking, which he started as a kid by mixing ingredients with his sisters. Now, he bakes on his own, creating treats for the people he loves. “What I love most about baking is how I can share what I’ve made with others. It makes me feel good knowing that what I’ve made can be enjoyed by the people I love.”

When Rony reflects on what makes him proudest, it’s not the test scores or awards—it’s the simple, profound reality that he made it to college. “I always knew that I would go to college because it was what my whole family told me I could do… but actually seeing that I did it makes me so unbelievably happy because I was able to prove my family right.”

Throughout high school, Rony’s warmth, intellect and willingness to try new things have left a lasting impression on those around him. One of those people is Madame Steele, his French teacher, who said:

“When Rony first arrived in 10th grade, I was immediately impressed with how quickly he understood our French work and how bravely he practiced speaking aloud. As our time together progressed, Rony did enough work to skip a level of French and remains a leader in our class. In France, Rony consistently continued to speak courageously and was a leader among his peers. I am so proud of his hard work and hope he’ll continue with his French.”

Rony credits Madame Steele as someone who transformed his high school experience. “When I first met her, I immediately felt free to be myself around her with no fear of judgment. Because of her, I have met so many people who have made my life so much better.”

If given the chance, Rony says he’d love to travel to Italy to explore the architecture and culture and maybe even pick up the language just by listening. And if time travel were on the table? He’d head to the year 3025 to see what the future holds.

Rony offers incoming students this simple but powerful advice: “Be ready to try new things. Going out and doing something you’ve never done before can lead to a passion or friendship you never would’ve found otherwise.”

As Rony prepares for the next chapter, he carries with him a deep love for learning, a heart for service and the dreams of an entire family. The future may be uncertain—but one thing is clear: Rony is ready to shape it.

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