Diana Martinez, a sophomore at TEC High School on the Evergreen campus, has been selected by the National Academy Foundation to participate in its upcoming Board of Directors meeting and gala in New York City. Diana is one of just seven students from the western region to be invited to attend. In addition to the opportunity to meet and discuss issues with the National Academy Foundation board members, who are respected CEOs and company presidents, students will also be attending a reception at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel and a benefit concert by the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra at Carnegie Hall.

In addition to being in pre-AP courses, Diana is also taking Introduction to Engineering Design and Multimedia Technology. She hopes to pursue a career in engineering and is the vice-president of the FIRST Robotics Club. She designed the club’s website. "Diana has great leadership potential and is not shy about taking on challenging assignments," said Principal Eric Hong. "She also shows great promise in pursuing a career in engineering."

"This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for these students," said Joanne Patrick, Seattle’s Academy coordinator, who will accompany the students to New York.

Honorees were recommended by their Academy teachers because of their leadership, academic success, and being highly involved in their programs. Upon their return, the students will work to market their Academy program within their school, become actively involved with specific advisory boards, and work with business partners.

Advisory Board members from the Academy of Finance, Academy of Hospitality & Tourism, and Academy of Information Technology made this trip possible with their generous donation of air miles and full payment for the hotel rooms.

The National Academy Foundation (NAF) is an acclaimed national network of high school career academies predominately based in urban districts-schools within schools-with rigorous, career-themed curricula created with current industry and educational expertise. Each year, NAF serves more than 50,000 students in over 500 Academies in 40 states and the District of Columbia through the Academy of Finance, the Academy of Engineering, the Academy of Hospitality & Tourism, and the Academy of Information Technology. NAF was founded by Sanford I. Weill, chairman emeritus of Citigroup Inc., as a partnership between business leaders and educators. Employees of more than 2,500 businesses support NAF students by securing paid internships, volunteering in classrooms, acting as mentors, and serving on local advisory boards. NAF's record of success with 90% graduation rates and more than 80% of these graduates going on to college, has garnered the support of corporations, public policy makers, and foundations, including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. For more information visit http://www.naf.org/.