Volunteer Spotlight: Lily Martinez
Some volunteers are truly the backbone of a community, stepping in wherever they are needed and lifting others along the way. Lily Martinez is one of those volunteers!
Now in her eighth year with FIRST in Texas and fourth year as a volunteer, Lily has supported programs across the entire pipeline. Her impact spans FIRST LEGO League, FIRST Tech Challenge, and FIRST Robotics Competition, where she has served in roles including referee, judge, match queuer, Judge Advisor Assistant, lead robot inspector, scorekeeper, and Impact Judge. Her willingness to take on new challenges reflects a deep commitment to supporting teams and ensuring events run smoothly.
Lily first started volunteering while she was still in high school, beginning in smaller roles and discovering a passion for giving back. After graduating, she chose to stay connected to the community, stepping into leadership positions and continuing to support students year after year. One experience that stands out most to Lily was volunteering at the FIRST World Championship in 2023. Being surrounded by teams and volunteers from around the world was both inspiring and energizing. Seeing so many cultures unite around a shared love of innovation, teamwork, and learning reinforced just how far the impact of FIRST reaches beyond any single event or region.
What keeps Lily coming back each season is the opportunity to watch students grow. From young learners in FIRST LEGO League to high school competitors in FIRST Robotics Competition, she has witnessed students build confidence, overcome challenges, and take pride in their accomplishments. Supporting that journey has been the most rewarding part of her experience.
Through volunteering, Lily has grown as a mentor and leader. Working across multiple programs and roles has strengthened her communication, adaptability, and decision making skills while continually reminding her of the importance of empathy and teamwork. She credits the students she works with for keeping her inspired and grounded in the mission.
