Achieve Your Dreams

I would like to introduce you to Janelle Martinez, a model candidate for the Mapleton
Education Foundation scholarship. I have had the pleasure of having Janelle in my World History
and United States Contemporary Issues classes over the past two years, and she is an exceptional
student. I have also worked with her as a member of our schools leadership program, United
Leaders of Academy as well as her entrance in a state-wide moot court competition. Janelle has
shown grit and determination at every turn.
The Marshall-Brennan Moot Court Competition is a nationwide competition that gives an
opportunity for high school students participating in Marshall-Brennan classes to showcase their
oral advocacy skills in statewide competitions. At Academy all of our students participate in
Marshall-Brennan classes though our Civics class their junior year. For those that take an interest in
the law and oral advocacy there is an optional competition at CU Boulder every year. This requires
of the students quite a bit of dedication as they must prepare their arguments during their own free
time with the help of teachers from Academy and the CU Boulder Law School. There is a
tremendous amount of preparation that goes into competing.
Janelle competed as a junior and did fairly well, earning some accolades for her
performance. However, she was not chosen as a finalist, and true to form, this was not good enough
for Janelle. In her senior year she chose to enter the competition again, this time without being in
the classes in the fall so she had to do all of the work in her own free time. The dedication and
perseverance that Janelle showed was truly inspirational. When it was all said and done Janelle
earned a spot as a finalist in the competition and will now be heading to Washington D.C. to
represent Mapleton Public Schools this spring.
Janelle is as caring and determined a student as you are likely to meet. She has continually
been a joy to work with in, and out, of the classroom. Janelle is an incredibly impressive young
woman. The moot court competition is just one of many examples that could be used to highlight
her perseverance and abilities as a shining Mapleton star. It is students like her that remind me why
I came into teaching. She is driven to succeed, and I cannot imagine anything getting in her way. I
implore you to take a chance on this young woman. She will exceed all of your expectations. It is
my pleasure and honor to recommend her for our scholarship. Please call me directly should you
have any additional questions 970-231-2098.
Sincerely,
David Penny
Pennyd@mapleton.us
Academy High School Social Studies Teacher
Skyview Junior Varsity Boys Soccer Head Coach
Skyview Knowledge Bowl Head Coach

Academy High School | 8970 York St., Thornton, CO 80229 | Ph: 303.853.1730 | Fax: 303.853.1779

Academy High School | 8970 York St., Thornton, CO 80229 | Ph: 303.853.1730 | Fax: 303.853.1779