Pedro Martinez of Madison East is a quiet, and humble young man. He does make a lot of noise with his legs however. Whether it’s soccer or football, he creates a loud pop upon his foot's impact with the ball, then a secondary whistling sound as the ball screams away from him.

"That sound you heard was the first sound I heard when Pedro kicked the ball and I instantly said yes," said Jeremy Thornton, Madison East head football coach.

Martinez played soccer his entire life. Last year as a junior, he joined the football team. It’s a sport he never played before.

"I’m going to call him a natural," said Thornton. "He didn’t have much football experience but his ability to kick the ball and kick the ball with consistency, but more importantly, that great attitude made it an easy transition for him."

Soccer and football share a season. Martinez embraced kick-off duties for the football team while balancing soccer. Juggling activities is nothing new for this scholar athlete.

"To try something new, a new experience, just make new connections and just overall make friends and build a family," said Martinez

The word ‘family’ comes up often with Martinez and those who know him well.

"Knowing his familia, that he’s always there for them," said Silvia Gomez de Soriano, bilingual research specialist. "I think his family is number one in life and he always takes care of his family and then comes school and then sports then everything else."

Martinez works hard in the classroom. English is his second language with makes his academic achievements even more impressive.

"Throughout high school he’s always pushed himself to take the next honors class, the AP class", said Sarah Elmore, school counselor. "He’s just been a really well rounded student."

Martinez is part of LA RAZA, a student organization which fundraises to provide scholarships for Latino students.

"When you wanted to have an example of something that was quality, you looked at Pedro’s work," said Barbara Davis, Spanish teacher.

Martinez also helps care for his three younger siblings, including his sister who’s living with special needs.

"When you have those kinds of demands on you and responsibilities, they’re far beyond what most of the kids are facing in terms of their daily academic struggle," said Davis.

Martinez enjoys solving math problems and wants to become an architect.

"I just really like the process of the buildings getting built and the overall teamwork," said Martinez.

Those around Martinez want to see him go far after he graduates this spring.

"He’s got a great creative mind and this huge heart," said Elmore.

He wants to be the first in his family to attend college.

"For this family, getting Pedro through college could be life changing," said Davis. "Not only for Pedro but also for his siblings and his parents."

Martinez would love to join a football team at the college level and continue kicking.

"Volunteering, athletics, work, family: He’s got it going on," said Elmore.