Martin Duque Anguiano

Martin Duque-Anguiano Jr. was raised in a close-knit, affectionate family which fostered his considerate and thoughtful personality. His friends knew him as a humorous and loyal individual.

Martin was born to Daisy Duque and Martin Anguiano Sr. on Sep. 4, 2003. He is survived by his parents along with his older brothers Miguel and Alex, as well as his younger brothers Andres and Santiago. “He looked up to all of us, his older brothers and our dad,” older brother and Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School alumnus Miguel Duque said.

In the future, Martin aimed to be economically self-sufficient in order to provide his parents with a less troublesome life and to give them a better home. Martin’s only wish was to provide his family with a stable, supportive and loving environment, like they did for him.

“He always told me that he wanted to start working as soon as he turned 16 because he saw me helping the family financially with whatever they needed,”

Miguel Duque said. Miguel Duque was an inspiration for Martin in every aspect. He played for the varsity soccer team for MSD until he graduated last year, and Alex is currently on the MSD varsity soccer team. Martin never joined a formal team, but he enjoyed playing with his very own team: his brothers.

“He liked soccer, but he never really got a chance to get into it at a high level like Alex and I did. He was my number one fan, always at my soccer games,” Miguel Duque said.

Martin found happiness in many small things. He spiritedly enjoyed watching national soccer games and supported the FC Barcelona team like his older brother Miguel — a true testament to the unbreakable bond that brothers share.

In addition to his love of soccer, Martin also enjoyed playing a variety of video games, but his true passion was the “Star Wars” anthology.

“He really loved ‘Star Wars.’ Everything for him was ‘Star Wars.’ He was just the biggest fan,” sophomore Juliette Hoffiz said.

Martin’s love of “Star Wars” was even exhibited in his school supplies. His backpack was filled with themed pencils and folders. His love for “Star Wars” was always displayed in something he valued deeply and took seriously: his studies.

All of his life, Martin loved school.

Starting at Park Trails Elementary and then Westglades Middle School, he excelled in academics. Most teachers who had him as a student felt fortunate to witness his love of learning and dedication to his studies.

“He was almost always [at school], always had a smile on his face. He was extremely well-liked, and it was clear that he really wanted to do well in school,” English teacher Debra Jacobson said. “Schooling and education were really important to him.”

Martin’s academic career was always his first priority. He viewed his studies as more important than his social life.

“I would come home from work or practice, and he would always be studying. He wouldn't be trying to go out with his friends, he would just be studying and getting good grades," Miguel Duque said.

Martin was taking honors classes and was looking forward to AP courses, as well as dual enrollment next school year. His intense course load exemplified his drive and ambition to achieve great things in his lifetime.

“He was a smart boy, the smartest one in the family. He was pretty impressive. Eventually, he wanted to go to FAU high school,” Miguel Duque said.

As committed as he was to school, he was equally as invested in his faith. He was a devoted church-goer and had strong personal beliefs in his doctrine.

“He was a very religious kid; he would pray every day, and he was just one of those people who would be a shine of light in the world,” Hoffiz said.

Prayer was an integral part of his daily life, and he encouraged others to take part in it. He was generous in his prayers and always included family and friends in his invocations.

“He always prayed for us, for everyone in the family,” Miguel Duque said. “He knew there was a god, and I was proud...

Most kids our age are partying, and they don’t realize what life is about, but he did, and I am a proud brother.”

Martin mirrored his loyalty to God in his friendships. He displayed unwavering compassion and an abundance of kindness and generosity to friends and strangers alike.

“He was very helpful [and] very happy. Whenever a situation was really sad, he would try to make it positive and happy. He would also always be there for you,” freshman Jose Hoyos said. “I came here in seventh grade, and I had nobody to teach me English or to guide me around the school, and I met him, and he showed me around, and he taught me a little bit.”

Martin has been described as fun, loving and extroverted. He was an all around happy and positive person.

“[In elementary school] me and our and getting good grades,” Miguel Duque other friend, we were like the three said. musketeers, we would play with each other at recess. We were never social with other people, it would just be the three of us,” freshman Rousseau Geffrard said.

On Martin’s Go Fund Me page, Miguel Duque described him as “a very funny kid, outgoing but sometimes really quiet. He was really sweet and caring and loved by all his family. Most of all, he was my baby brother.”

When there was a break from his fierce study sessions, he was always a jokester, and he liked to make people happy with his humor. He loved to put smiles on the faces of others.

“Martin was honestly one of the funniest freshman that I knew; you wouldn’t expect the kind of humor he had from someone his age,” senior Robert Bonczek said.

Although determined when it came to academics, Martin was known for his sense of humor which, like most teenage boys, was often inappropriate.

“He would always come up with ways to make people laugh. He was pretty clever with his humor. There were times he would say some pretty childish things, but it was always with good intentions,” Bonczek said. Martin’s values inspired his kind and genuine personality. He always put others’ happiness before his own, and he always made an attempt to brighten everyone’s mood.

“Whenever I was off, he could tell, and he would always try to come up to me and crack jokes, and I really appreciated that. I wish I had been more appreciative of it,” Bonczek said.

As much as he enjoyed making people laugh, he took certain things in life seriously. According to Miguel, Martin always dreamed of joining the Navy and becoming a Navy SEAL. To ready himself for the challenges of serving his country, he joined JROTC while at MSD.

Martin was an admired cadet corporal, and he received several awards while participating in the JROTC program, such as the Leadership Development ribbon, Perfect Attendance ribbon, Parade ribbon, JROTC Athletic ribbon, Good Conduct ribbon and Personal Appearance ribbon.

“He was quiet, attentive and always smiling. There was a sense of duty, selflessness, respect, and he treated people well… I could see that in his behavior,” Sgt. John Navarra said.

The U.S. Army awarded the Medal of Heroism posthumously to Martin along with fellow cadets, Alaina Petty and Peter Wang. This medal is given to those who perform courageous or selfless acts and is the highest award a JROTC cadet can obtain.

“Our class is very much like a family, and he would do this thing if you were upset; he would put his hand on your shoulder and say ‘you are better than any problem,’” junior and First Sergeant Victoria Olvera said.

His smile would light up any room he entered, and his happiness was contagious. He had an uplifting attitude that made him unique, and he was always laughing and joking around.

His kindness and compassion will live on in every life that he touched, and his positive outlook and enthusiasm are an inspiration for all who knew him. Martin’s uplifting and bright personality will be a shining light as we try to live like he did.

Story by Dara Rosen; photos courtesy of Miguel Duque