Posted on Thu, Jun. 03, 2010

Emily Martinez-Lanza is headed off to Harvard University with an outstanding string of academic, community and musical accomplishments at Gulliver Preparatory School. The graduating senior is valedictorian of the Class of 2010 with a final grade point average of 5.91 – one of the highest in Gulliver’s long history.

She is also founder and president of Teens Against Domestic Abuse (TADA), an educational and advocacy organization, and performer in the U.S. Chopin Foundation’s Young Pianist Concert. And those are just the start of a long list of activities, awards and honors.

“Emily is a brilliant young lady who has an incredibly bright future,” said John Krutulis, Gulliver Head of School. “She is not only an amazing scholar and leader, she is also very involved in community service and enjoys helping others and sharing her many gifts and talents. We are so proud of all that she has accomplished to date, and are looking forward to following her future success.”

In May, Martinez-Lanza became the first student to ever receive two scholarships from the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) and Herff Jones, Inc. She won a National Honor Society Scholarship and the Principal's Leadership Award (PLA) in two nationwide separate competitions involving more than 10,000 students and will receive a total scholarship award of $25,000.

“Since enrolling at Gulliver as a kindergarten student, Emily has developed into an amazing young lady with boundless energy, motivation and leadership ability, as well as a caring nature, selflessness and incredible intellect,” said Gloria Bracciano, Gulliver Schools provost. “The entire Gulliver family is very proud of Emily’s achievements in the classroom and in the community.”

The death of a close family friend due to domestic violence led Martinez-Lanza to create TADA, a student group dedicated to preventing similar tragedies. “Our motto is break the silence, break the cycle,” she said. “Silence only serves to accelerate and aggravate the abuse.”

Since founding the organization in 2008, Martinez-Lanza has led the student initiative, which has raised $18,000 for direct relief to abuse victims. She has organized events and auctions to raise funds, and collected cell phones for emergency use by abuse victims.

Determined to make a difference, Martinez-Lanza has been working with elected leaders to address domestic violence. She spoke with staffers from U.S. Congresswoman Ileana-Ros Lehtinen’s office to draft an initiative creating a domestic violence educational requirement for all U.S. high school students.

Recently, Martinez-Lanza and state Rep. Erik Fresen (R-Miami) discussed a proposed bill that would create a requirement for domestic and teen dating violence education in Florida high schools. “I plan to assist in the formulation of a curriculum on teen dating violence, which hopefully will get passed and be implemented at a state level,” she said. “From there, my hope is to create a national initiative.”

Martinez-Lanza has been an active volunteer for other community organizations, including serving as president of the Mercy Hospital Teen and College Student Auxiliary, chairperson of the Youth Advisory Board for Coral Gables and chair of the Miami Symphony Orchestra Youth Advisory Committee.

In May, Martinez-Lanza was named a Gates Millennium Scholar. She is also a National Merit Winner, a National AP Scholar, and the recipient of the annual Pinecrest Business Association Scholarship. She will receive the Congressional Medal of Merit later this month.“My mother told me long ago that time is my most precious commodity so never waste it,” said Martinez-Lanza. “Even during my busiest days, I find time to play the piano, watch a TV show with my family and talk to my friends.”

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=1352427&forum_id=1#15370620)