Hail to the Chief

I feel like I can be a leader and do what's right -Martell

Martell, a 15-year-old youth at Mercy Home for Boys & Girls, was recently elected president...of his freshman class. 

Martell is a freshman this year at St. Benedict High School and decided to run for class president.  He beat out two of his classmates, saying "I am strong, willing, caring, responsible, and the best for the job." 

Martell's presidential duties include helping plan school pep rallies and dances, as well as attending a student council meeting every Tuesday morning at 7:30.  "Sometimes it's hard to get up for the meetings," he confessed, "But I try to be a leader and do what's right."

In the fall of 2006, when he was 13 years old, Martell came to Mercy Home because he wanted to improve his behavior and his relationship with his mother.  His academic performance was also declining and he was behaving badly in school.

Now, about two years later, Martell is excelling.  "Mercy Home has helped me because I have a better relationship with my mom and I'm doing better in school," Martell said.  "If it weren't for Mercy Home, I wouldn't be where I am today."

Martell has been working hard in his program at Mercy Home to improve his attitude and behavior.  "Martell's hard work and dedication in program as well as outside of program has helped him become class president," said John, one of Mercy Home's youth care workers, on Martell's achievements. 

So far Martell enjoys being president, and a role model.  "I get a feeling like I'm known, I'm a leader, and I'm a good person," he said.  "They wouldn't have voted for me if I wasn't a good person."

When he is not running a class, Martell likes to play basketball and football, and rap.  "Rapping helps me to express my feelings," he said. 

Congratulations Martell!  You have our vote!