May 17, 1998
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A.E. Araiza,
The Arizona Daily Star
Charlene Martinez worked two jobs to support 2-year-old son Victor.

By Evonne Van Gundy
Special to The Arizona Daily Star

At 16, most teen-agers are concerned with their hair and what they will wear to the next high school dance.

Then there are others like Charlene Martinez, a single parent struggling with finances.

Martinez, 18, said she remembers thinking pregnancy would never happen to her.

Now, the Marana High School senior said she considers ways to make her 2-year-old son have the kind of childhood she missed.

``I want us to be close,'' said Martinez while watching Victor play.

``I'm not close to my family. . . . I don't blame getting pregnant on anyone but myself. But I think if I had been closer to my parents, it would have been different because I would have had someone to talk to,'' said Martinez.

She said she dropped out of school two years ago and worked two jobs to take care of her son. Last year, Martinez said she realized that she needed an education and returned to school.

``It's hard,'' she said. ``Every time I look in the yearbook I think, `Why?'

``I just wish I could have graduated with my class.''

While Martinez said she learned her lesson, it bothers her to see other teen-agers make the same mistakes she did.

``It hurts. I feel for those girls. They don't realize that they (could end their lives as they know it) the minute they start having unsafe sex.''

The responsibilities of a single mother don't allow for extra-curricular activities, she said. ``My freshman year I was really active. I played softball and was a pompon girl. I just wish I could do that all again, but I can't because I have Victor.''

Despite the challenges she faces, Martinez said she is determined to make the most of her life for her and her son.

She said she plans to enroll at Pima Community College and study astronomy.

``I love the stars and planets, and want to learn more about them.''

Evonne Van Gundy is a senior at Canyon Del Oro High School.