Phoenix High School graduate and soccer standout Victor Martinez (class of 2022) died from colon cancer on June 23, 2023. 

“Vic” lit up every room he entered with his infectious smile and outgoing personality. He was a leader at Phoenix High both in the hallways and on the soccer field, where he scored more goals than any PHS Pirate in history and twice earned the Skyline Player of the Year award. At the 2022 Senior Awards Night at PHS, Vic was named the winner of the school’s Distinguished Athlete Award, presented by a representative of the Marine Corps to the student-athlete who displays courage, self-confidence and leadership. He certainly possessed those qualities and many more.

His ability to inspire those around him went far beyond athletics. He pumped up classmates during PHS pep assemblies, pitched in to help those in need following the Almeda fire and was the loudest student volunteer at Phoenix Elementary’s 2022 field day, where his playfulness during the parachute popcorn activity had the elementary kids cracking up. Everybody who met Vic has a story to share about him. Feel free to share your own below.

The Victor Martinez GoFundMe page can be found here and it has almost reached its goal so please help put it over the top: https://www.gofundme.com/.../victor-martinez-cancer...