At just 16 years old, Esther J. Buckley Early College High School senior Gena Martinez has reached a milestone that sets a new precedent at Laredo Independent School District. In December 2025, Martinez graduated from the Laredo College Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Program and recently earned national certification, becoming the first 16-year-old in the district to achieve this distinction.
The dual enrollment program, in partnership with Laredo College, allows students to take college-level courses and career certification programs while still enrolled in high school, accelerating their path toward workforce readiness and postsecondary success. Martinez took advantage of this opportunity to begin pursuing her goal of working in healthcare years ahead of schedule.
“I’ve always wanted to work in the medical field and help people,” Martinez said. “When I learned that I could start this career path while still in high school, I knew it was an opportunity I didn’t want to miss.”
Balancing rigorous high school coursework with intensive medical training required discipline, organization, and perseverance. Martinez completed hands-on training, emergency response simulations, and certification requirements.
“It felt really exciting and, honestly, a little unbelievable. I felt proud of myself because I worked really hard to reach this goal. Being the first 16-year-old in the district to earn national EMT certification is something very special to me,” Martinez shared.
She credits her family, instructors, and school staff for helping her manage the demanding schedule and remain focused on her long-term goals.
Buckley Early College High School Director Bianca Herrera Martinez emphasized that this achievement demonstrates both the student’s determination and the effectiveness of the school’s college-accelerated pathways.
“We are incredibly proud of this remarkable achievement,” Herrera Martinez said. “Becoming the youngest Certified EMT is a testament to Gena's discipline, resilience, and commitment to excellence. At Buckley Early College High School, our Health Science pathway is designed to accelerate opportunity — empowering students to earn college credit, industry certifications, and real-world experience that prepares them to lead and serve in the healthcare field. This accomplishment reflects what is possible when high expectations meet determination. We congratulate Gena on this wonderful achievement and are excited for the impact she will make in healthcare.”
Martinez's training in the EMT program confirmed her desire to pursue emergency medicine and deepened her understanding of the critical role EMTs play in life-saving situations, particularly during hands-on exercises that simulated real emergency responses. “It made me realize how important EMTs are and how much of a difference they can make in someone's life. That’s when I knew this was the career I wanted to pursue,” she said.
Martinez said the experience also demonstrated the real-world impact healthcare professionals can make and expressed hope that her journey will encourage other students to take advantage of advanced academic opportunities. “My advice would be to go for it and not be afraid of the challenge,” she said. “It might seem difficult at first, but if you stay committed and work hard, you can achieve your goals. It’s a great opportunity to get ahead and start building your future early.”
Looking ahead, Martinez plans to continue her education in the medical field, with aspirations to become a paramedic or pursue another healthcare profession. She believes her experience demonstrates that determination can overcome age barriers.
“This experience has taught me that age does not limit what you can accomplish,” Martinez added. “If you work hard and believe in yourself, you can achieve great things.”