Cierra Luna is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Xavier College Preparatory for AZPrep365

Xavier senior softball player Cameron Martin was among the 10% of accepted applicants into Dartmouth’s class of 2024.

Martin is hoping to pursue a degree in psychology with a minor in Native American studies or Spanish. She said that she hopes to use her degree to effect change within her Navajo community.

“I want to take what I learn at Dartmouth back to the reservation,” Martin said. “Because there are just a lot of issues with addiction, alcoholism and different things that the reservation doesn’t get help with. Just because it's so isolated and has its own government basically, it doesn’t get the funds the city would get.”

Martin is waiting to receive word on her application for the Chief Maneulito scholarship, which honors Chief Maneulito, who encouraged others to seek higher education, protect Navajo tradition and preserve their culture.

Part of the criteria for the scholarship was to complete a college credit of both Navajo Language and Navajo Government during high school.

One of the college courses was held during the second semester of school when she would be practicing softball. Martin’s mother, Tyesha Wood, said she showed the initiative in not only enrolling in courses but working with her coach to balance her schedule.

“She did it all on her own," Wood said. "She talked to her coach, and said, ‘I have to do this if I want the scholarship.’” 

Coach Brad Downes said that his players are extremely well-rounded, on and off the field. He said working around Martin’s schedule was simple. Allowing her to leave practice early once a week was not affecting her commitment to the team.

“When you have kids who are trying to do things that are benefiting their future and working towards their goals you want to be accommodating,” Downes said.

Martin was able to tour multiple colleges last year when she was selected for College Horizons, a non-profit that focuses on increasing the number of Native American, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian students that succeed in college programs.

“They talked about financial aid and preparing them a little bit more for finding your community when you go off the reservation or another community to school,” Wood said.

After her visit to New Hampshire in October, Martin said Dartmouth moved quickly to the top of her list of college choices.

“It was just a great experience," Martin said. "I loved the campus and I got a chance to eat lunch with some of the professors and it was so nice. It was definitely up there, but I kind of had doubts I would get in just because it's a competitive school.”

Martin did not want to “jinx” her chance of getting in by talking about her plans with others, despite her mom’s reassurance that things were going to work out.

“I kept telling her ‘Cameron, you’re fine. You have to be positive.' And she said, ‘no mom there’s a possibility I won’t get in,’” Wood said. “I didn’t have a doubt in my mind that they wouldn’t accept her.”

Attending Xavier educated Martin on strong female role models in different parts of history and in different positions of power or career choices. They take pride in tailoring their curriculum to young women.

“I think Xavier really, it sounds weird, but ignited the spark for my Native American advocacy,” Martin said.

Along with her family, Martin’s coaches said she embodies being a young woman with a purpose.

“She’s special, responsible, and has a lot of initiative,” Downes said. “The goals that she has set out, she knows the path to get there and how to take advantage of opportunities that will best set herself up for success.”

This is Martin’s fourth season playing varsity softball for the Gators. Last season, she was honored as a part of the 6A Premier All-Region 2nd team. She is a part of the Catholic community within the Salt River Pima Indian community and she volunteers with the National Honor Society and with her church. She will graduate from Xavier in May.