CONCORD, N.C. — Whenever Avery Martin can get in a saddle, she knows it will be a good day.
“I love to come here, just get to relax with the horses and be with them,” Martin said. “It’s so fun.”
The Metrolina Christian Academy senior fell in love with horses at an early age thanks to Wings of Eagles Ranch, which is a faith-based horse ranch in Concord, North Carolina.
Martin has been chosen as one of the High School Scholars for Spectrum News. She was nominated by her former teacher Burt Brooks for her compassion and care for others. Avery hopes to attend either Baylor University in Texas or Anderson University in South Carolina this fall.
North Carolina Rep. Dean Arp visited Metrolina Christian Academy to present her with a $1,000 scholarship to help begin the next chapter of her life.
“When I was 5 years old, I went to summer camp with my sister here, and we kind of fell in love with riding,” Martin said.
As she grew up, she volunteered at the ranch as much as she could, doing any chores they needed, just to spend more time with the horses.
“Being out in God’s creation and just being with animals that they obviously don’t speak your own language. And yet they are so understanding, so loving, so caring, so loyal. They’re like my best friends,” Martin said.
Eventually, she began helping with therapeutic riding lessons at the ranch and teaching independent lessons.
It is a hobby that opened her eyes and heart to a new passion: working with kids and young adults with special needs.
Which led her to pursue becoming a physician’s assistant when she goes to college. She hopes to focus on behavioral health for those with special needs.
“Being in a faith-based community like the ranch has also helped me to really understand that God knows exactly what I’m going through,” Martin said. “He’s been able to orchestrate steps to push me, to find my passion in life.”
Whether she’s volunteering at the ranch or one day working in a behavioral health office, she hopes she can continue to weave her faith and love of horses together to help make a difference in the lives of her patients.
“I never imagined that riding one horse would lead me to my whole career,” Martin said. “But, I’ve been able to see short glimpses through the ranch and through many other things of how it can pay off and how just one small thing can totally change a kid’s life.”