MONTVERDE, Fla. — When Sebastian Martin speaks about leadership, he does so with quiet humility and a wealth of experience beyond his years. A senior at Montverde Academy, Martin, 17, is a well-rounded scholar, athlete, community volunteer, and Eagle Scout with an unwavering commitment to service and integrity.

Born on October 21, 2006, to Sean Martin and Johanna Molina, Sebastian is proudly half Latino. Academically, Martin maintains a 4.2 weighted GPA and is a Distinguished Scholar. He’s a member of several honor societies, including the National Honor Society and Spanish, Science, History, and Math Honor Societies. But what sets him apart is not just his academic prowess—it’s his drive to lead, build, and give back.

Martin’s leadership journey is deeply rooted in Scouts BSA, where he began in the first grade and ultimately earned the prestigious rank of Eagle Scout. His leadership roles included Trek Crew Leader at Philmont Scout Ranch, Senior Patrol Leader of his troop, and Captain of his local youth rowing team. These positions demanded planning, resilience, and the ability to inspire his peers, culminating in achievements like leading his troop to an Honor Troop award and helping his rowing team place eighth at the state level.

(As an Eagle Scout, Sebastian is a Trek Crew Leader at Philmont Scout Ranch and Senior Patrol Leader of his troop.)

“My goal has always been to serve through leadership,” said Martin. “Whether that’s guiding my fellow scouts through the mountains of New Mexico or supporting my rowing team during intense regattas, I try to be a steady presence.”

Martin also gives generously of his time. He volunteered 60 hours as an instructor for a Learn to Row camp, helping to grow team participation by 14%. He’s also woven blankets for children’s hospitals, assisted with hurricane cleanup efforts, and helped organize a massive Cub Scout Halloween event that brought joy to thousands of young participants across Central Florida.

(Sebastian Martin has been involved in rowing for many years. Here he is with his team.)

Outside of school and service, Martin’s hands are rarely idle. He’s an experienced handyman and carpenter, skills learned while living on an 11-acre ranch and working alongside his father. From repairing plumbing and electrical systems to rebuilding a family dock, Martin sees self-reliance and craftsmanship as vital tools—not only for daily life but also for his future career in the United States Air Force.

“I’ve always had a fascination with engineering and mechanics,” he said. “It’s why I’ve spent time building trebuchets in my school’s STEM club and why I love working on cars. I even fixed my own gear shift and have helped my family with car repairs.”

Martin also knows a thing or two about hard work “For several years, we lived on a 11-acre ranch outside Tampa, Florida. On the farm, there was never a shortage of work to be done. My father and I, as the main Farm Hand, had a large responsibility load. I learned how to run barbed wire, muck stalls, trim hooves, build chicken coops, breed goats, chop trees, manage cows, run a tractor, and all other things related to the maintenance of a ranch. My impact on the ranch was being a helpful hand to my father who struggled to find willing and available manual labor help,” says Martin.

As he prepares to graduate from Montverde Academy, Martin has an exciting future that awaits in the U.S. Air Force Academy. This is a great young man with a good head on his shoulders. We are very proud of his continued success and what his future holds in store.