Whether you have seen him flying down the hallways in a fiery rage, or skipping along, happy as could be, junior Luis Martinez has a very noticeable presence here at Aspen High School.

Co-president of the Gay Straight Alliance club, member of the cross-country and track teams, and avid participant in the theatrical arts, Martinez reaches a wide variety of people on the school spectrum. He spends most of his time at CP Burger, loves the show Glee, and his favorite candy is Rainbow Skittles.

Martinez was born and raised here in Aspen, and has been in the school system here since his first day of kindergarten. He has also attempted to make every possible positive impact he can in his path.

Loading himself up with a wide variety of extracurriculars, Martinez has a busy plate, and can often be seen scampering around the school, district, and town. This past summer, he kept himself busy with Theater Aspen’s multiple performances, helping usher. His sophomore year, he was a part of the AHS spring musical “In The Heights,” and is very involved in the AHS theater program. Not only that, but the community play for this upcoming fall, “The Importance of Being Ernest” held auditions October 12, 2013, and Martinez is a hopeful candidate for the highly selective play.

“I know the theater business is a hard one to go into and come out successfully, but it is what I love to do and I will continue to do so until I get rejected, at which point I will leave, practice some more and return to the industry more ready than ever,” Martinez said.

Alongside of acting, Martinez thoroughly enjoys creative writing, for his own personal gain.

“Writing about my life helps me battle through the every day struggles that I am faced with. Being openly gay at our school is not the easiest. I definitely face hate everyday, but I am also immensely supported by all of my friends and even those who don’t approve of the negativity that I face. I am really lucky to have my supporters behind me, along the GSA club,” Martinez.

Although very busy with all his activities in the theatrical arts and creative writing, Martinez spends the rest of his time running and focusing on his schoolwork, which is a lot with his five IB classes. He considers himself to be very fabulous, fashionable and immensely sassy, all of which he prides himself on.

“If you see me around, unless I am in one of my rage walks, I would love for you to say hi and get to know me better. I love meeting new people and being social,” Martinez said.