E-Portfolio

Welcome to my e-Portfolio. My name is Samantha Martinez and I am a student at the Pennsylvania State University majoring in Political Science and Sociology. I am 18 years old and I was born and raised in New York City. I am a prospective Paterno Fellows and Schreyers Honors College student. I am currently very active in my college community. I am a member of the Student Minority Advisory and Recruitment Team (S.M.A.R.T) and a mentor  for the BLUEprint mentoring program. I am also currently in the selection process of becoming a Resident Assistant on my school campus. I was also an active member of a THON committee to raise money for children with Pediatric Cancer. Along with my recent activeness on campus I am also bilingual, being fluent in Spanish and educated in French. 


Being from a large city with a diverse group of people and cultures has allowed me to grow up with an open mind and an adventurous personality. Attending Penn State has allowed me to use these aspects to my advantage and has given me the tools succeed in the future. Not only has it provided me with an active community for me to get involved in, but also a good education. This e-Portfolio is intended for you to see the work that I have complete and progress I have made as a student at Penn State. Here you will find media and written pieces that reflect my experiences and skills that I have obtained in college. 

Walk a Mile in Her Shoes

Earlier today April 19th, or yesterday since you guys will be reading this on Friday there was a Walk a Mile in Her Shoes march sponsored by Penn State Men Against Violence and the Center of Women Students. It started at 1pm today in from of the Boucke Building and men marched for a mile in a pair of women’s red pumps. There were also some people who walked in regular shoes to support the men walking and support the cause. The idea of the march was for men to metaphorically walk in women’s shoes and put themselves in her place. The men were also deal with an excruciating amount of pain wearing those heals being that any women cant even walk a mile in a pair of heals without dealing with pain. The pain that they feel walking is supposed to symbolize the pain that women deal with after being sexually assaulted. Many people do not realized the seriousness of sexual violence and the effect that it can have on victims. Men especially do not understand the seriousness because they do not have to fear becoming victims of sexual violence and in many cases they are known to be the aggressors. This walk was very influential and raised a lot of awareness about sexual violence. People where confused and wondering why men were walking around campus in heals and began to ask questions. When they did find out what the cause was they were persuaded to either join or to find out more about what they could do. Many people were also influenced to partake in the walk next year because of the impact it made this year. Being that it is Sexual Violence Awareness month I recommend that everyone do research on sexual violence and how it can be prevented. 

Every Kiss Begins With Kay

love the idea of people falling in love and living happily every after. One of the things that touches my heart the most is seeing happy couples. Jewelry commercials are one of my weaknesses. Whenever I watch these commercials I want to either go out and by my significant other a piece of jewelry or I hope that someone will buy me a similar gift.These commercials are so successful because they provide the idea that jewelry can make relationships work better and last even longer. In the commercials there is usually a couple who is spending romantic personal time together either at home in a private place or in a romantic restaurant. This shows that at the time the relationship is already going well and there couldn’t possibly be a thing that could make the relationship better. Then the gift is given, usually to the female and the female is ecstatic. She gets so excited and kisses her partner leaving the audience with the idea that the couple is now even happier and will remain happy. This is persuasive to the male because it gives him the idea that jewelry can either solve a problem in a relationship and resolve the issue or make things better than they already are. This is persuasive to the female because it gives her the idea that in a good relationship she will receive these types of gifts and if she provides these gifts it will make her partner even happier with her. Many jewelers also have catchy slogans such as “Every Kiss Begins With Kay” to remind the viewers that if they are looking for a jeweler for their partner Kay Jewelers is the place to go. Jewelers use the idea of a happily ever after and a catchy slogan to persuade viewers to visit their store and pick something out for a significant other.