Martin Bear is a Gardendale High School senior and Mr. GHS. He is also president of the school’s chapter of the National Honor Society and captain of the Scholar’s Bowl Team.

Are you planning on going to college anywhere?

I plan on going to Sanford on scholarship for the first four years. Then, I’m going to study law at Cumberland.

What makes you want to study law?

I’m interested in the philosophy of debate. I also like the idea of helping people; you don’t call a lawyer unless there’s a problem. I like practicing the art of arguing, making your case so well that you convince a whole group of your peers to agree with you.

Tell us about your family.

We’re the “four Bears”: My father, Lee, owns a painting company. My mother, Beverly, tends to the household. My sister, Lexi, is a freshman and plays piano and flute.

Do you play any instruments?

I play drums, mostly at Gardendale Church of God.

How did you get into music?

My dad plays guitar, bass and drums. He used to be a pastor, and he wanted to give me something to do during services when I was little that wouldn’t get me into trouble. I chose percussion, and it went from there.

Do you ever help with your dad’s painting?

I’ve been out and about on his job sites since I was 8.

Have you always lived in Gardendale?

I moved to Alabama from Washington State when I was in second grade. I remember it took three days and we rode the whole way in a U-Haul truck. Moving to Alabama made us change to a completely different lifestyle. In Washington we lived in the bay area, and were very active fishing-wise. Gardendale is a much more rural setting.