Luis Enrique Martinez Reyes Inspires Excellence at University Place Elementary

Tuscaloosa City Schools, along with Townsquare Media Tuscaloosa and Child Abuse Prevention Services, will highlight and recognize Inspiring Excellence Student Of The Month from each of the 21 schools in the district during the 2023-2024 school year. Every month, two to three outstanding TCS students will be highlighted in this series.

Luis Enrique Martinez Reyes was honored during a leadership assembly at University Place Elementary last week, where he was named their 2023-2024 Inspiring Excellence Student of the Month.

The fifth-grader said he was shocked to receive this award, which was apparent as his eyes lit up when his name was called.

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Nakelya Mullins, principal at University Place, praised Reyes’ character and leadership skills.

“Luis takes great pride in his work and loves working collaboratively with his peers,” Mullins said. “He holds high expectations for himself and never hesitates to lead by example.”

Reyes said his grades and friendship with his classmates are the qualities that he is most proud of.  Reyes is a math wiz and has dreams of one day becoming a welder.

“Math is my favorite subject because it's really easy when you know it,” Reyes said. “It helps you with a lot.”

Luna was presented with a gift bag from CAPS Tuscaloosa and interviewed by the Big Dawg Dre Day, a DJ on Townsquare Media's 105.1 the Block and 92.9 WTUG. His message will air all month on all eight of Townsquare's live and local radio stations.

“Luis understands that true leaders do the right thing even when no one is watching, and he works daily to learn new things and share his own ideas, thoughts and experiences with others,” Mullins said. “We are beyond proud of Luis, and look forward to the great things to come in his future.”