HEM student receives STARR

Amber Martin never wanted to trade her comfortable life in Twin Falls, Idaho for one in Hanna.

In Hanna, activities were severely limited, Martin said. The lack of activities robbed some opportunities from Martin ­— opportunities she would have had in Twin Falls.

“I have to admit I was reluctant at first,” she said.

But if it wasn’t for the move to Hanna, Martin would have never gotten a full-ride scholarship to Michigan State University.

“It’s crazy to think that just after being here for two years, that my life could be completely different,” she said.

Martin, a soon-to-be graduate of HEM Junior/Senior High School, received the STARR scholarship, a competitive full-ride scholarship offered to Wyoming and some Michigan high school graduates. Only about 10 students are chosen each year, according to the STARR Charitable Foundation Scholarship website.

Martin is one of two Carbon County School District No. 2 high school graduates to be selected for the scholarship this year, the other being Encampment School senior Lucas Jarrett.

Martin said she was used to moving a lot before her arrival in Encampment.

Martin has lived in six states, including Wyoming.

“I’m kind of used to the whole moving around thing,” she said.

However, Martin lived in Twin Falls the longest, giving her time to establish a life there.

Martin and her family left Twin Falls after her mother landed a teaching job at Hanna Elementary School.

Leaving Twin Falls was difficult for Martin, she said. But Hanna was able to offer her a different set of opportunities.

During her two years at HEM, Martin remained very active.

“I don’t like sitting still. I get bored easily, so I am always trying to get involved in things,” she said.

She joined the basketball and volleyball teams at HEM, sports she had never tried before. She also participated in track, the tennis team in Rawlins and FCCLA.

Martin also participated in student government, first running as the student body treasurer, then becoming the student body president.

On top of her extracurricular activities, Martin also achieved academically by pushing to bring dual enrollment classes to Hanna, then taking three of them, she said.

“That is quite a load for a senior, on top of her regular course work,” said HEM Principal Dale Kari.

Martin plans on entering the premedical program at MSU, an interest she picked up after a field trip she attended last year where she got to observe a cadaver.

The experience peaked her interest in biology and the human body, she said.

Martin and Jarrett went to see their future campus a few weeks ago. Both said they are excited to attend MSU.