Alisal High School

To Whom it may Concern:

It is with great pleasure that I write this recommendation for Gustavo Martinez to support his application for
admission to a four year university. Gustavo is the most extraordinary student I have had in my 7 years of
teaching. I taught Gustavo for Math 1 Advanced, Math 2, Engineering Design, Principles of Engineering
and Robotics II. Gustavo was more than just my top student in all of these classes. He was more like a
colleague, a leader. Mr. Martinez would help me create and deliver the curriculum. He always went
beyond the classroom assignments and always helped his classmates understand the material. Whether
this was in after school tutorials, lunch or in class.

Gustavo is very passionate about the field of physics and math. His dream is to get a PhD in physics. Mr.
Martinez is interested in being involved in the creation of new math or physics that can help us understand
the world better. He is interested in collaborating with some of the greatest minds to help us have a better
understanding of how things around us work. Gustavo is a fast learner. While in my robotics class, with
limited programming skills, he was able to develop programs that simulated a garage door, a material
sorter and an elevator. When he was a freshman in high school he helped me teach the sophomore math
class over the winter break. Although he had not learned the material we would meet before and after
school to go over it. He did really well helping the students and was very fast at picking up the material.
The students in the class and I were impressed with his hard work, tenacity and ability to pick up material
so fast.

Through my experience working at NASA, the Naval Postgraduate School, the MD Anderson Cancer
Center and majoring in Applied Physics I have had the pleasure of working with some great engineers,
mathematicians and physicists. Gustavo displays many of the qualities that these individuals have. His
attention to detail is unparalleled. He has an immense hunger for learning and is very skillful in
problem-solving. Gustavo also possesses great patience when solving problems. As a sophomore, he was
in the junior Math Honors class and was one of three sophomores in the AP Physics class and had the
highest grade in the class. As a junior he took all three semesters of College Calculus at the community
college and had the highest grade in his classes. All while taking 5 AP classes and Robotics II.

Academically Gustavo is a top student, and probably very similar to the students applying. But why should
you accept him over them you may ask? Gustavo possesses many qualities that separate him from other
students. He is an undocumented student who constanty lived in fear of not being able to go to college
due to his legal status. This made him stronger, instead of letting that derail him from working hard in
school he used it as motivation and worked harder. Because he knew that he would be able to be an
example to the many undcoumented students at our school. He understood that if you work hard enough
the opportunities can be there. Gustavo’s motivation does not just root from wanting to do good for
himself. His motivation roots from his family and community. He knows he has the opportunity to open up
the doors to a better future for his family and for the younger generations in his community. Mr. Martinez is
probably one of the most humble people you will meet. He works hard and goes out of his way to help
others. He collaborates with his peers to ensure that others have the opportunity to have a great future.
Gustavo and a few of his peers created a free tutorial service that aims at helping students succeed during
distance learning. They volunteer many hours of their week to tutor other students. Furthermore, Mr.
Martinez is inspiring. His work ethic and passion for math and physics inspire all of us to want to learn
more. He does not know this but his freshman year I was on the verge of quitting the teaching profession.
But his love for the subject and caring for others inspired me to stay and do the same for our community.
So why Gustavo Martinez? Because you have the potential here to not only affect one student. But to
affect the lives of his family and the students in his community. His success has the potential to translate
into the success of others. His tenacity and motivation come from wanting to give his family and
community a better life. So I know this will make him work harder. Lastly, I truly believe that Gustavo
Martinez is a name for us all to remember. He is going to have a great impact not only on our community
but the world.

I believe that your school will be a great program to help him become successful. One where he can work
with the great minds of this and previous generations to have an impact in this world. I give Gustavo
Martinez my highest recommendation as he is an extremely bright and hardworking student with an
enormous amount of potential and a bright future. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions
at my phone number or email address.

Sincerely yours,

Juan Ledesma
Phone:​ (831) 320-7703
Email:​ juan.ledesma@salinasuhsd.org