'He Has Overcome So Much': Martinez Star Student

MARTINEZ, CA — Star Students are found in classrooms, on concert and theater stages and at debate lecterns, and out in the community doing good things to make life better for all of us.

Here at Patch, we've launched an initiative to help recognize Star Students, and we’re working to tell the stories of these outstanding kids to their neighbors.

This submission comes from Dianna Whelan who nominated her son Riley, an 11th-grader who lives in Martinez and is graduating from high school a year early.

Star local student’s name

Riley

Star local student’s home state

California

How do you know the star local student?

He is my son

Why do you believe the star local student should be recognized?

Riley has overcome so much. He has always been a star student, and always there to help anyone in need. His father passed away in 2020 at home on Hospice. Riley was doing his online school at the time. When school was back in, he was bullied incessantly and didn't want to go back to school. He chose to go to Briones and home school for the first semester of his Junior year. Within the first few weeks, Riley was happy and had a plan. He was going to take extra classes, go back to Alhambra in the Spring, and graduate a year early. He is graduating June 1st and is currently taking classes at Briones (home school), four on campus at Alhambra, and two at Diablo Valley College. Riley has always been a go-getter in the classroom and out. If there is a problem to be solved, Riley is there to figure it out and help. He has a huge heart and always puts himself out there to help others. He has always been in the school band (flute and piccolo) and involved in Drama/Musical Theater. One thing that really stands out about Riley is how good he is with children. He did all of his school community service at his elementary school where the students kept asking him to come back.

What's one thing you want everyone to know about the star local student?

Riley wears his heart on his sleeve. He is ALWAYS there to help anyone that needs it. Even if they are rude to him.

Congratulations on your achievements, and all of our best wishes to you in the future, Riley!

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Know an outstanding student?

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