During her grade school years and her high school career at Sentinel, Martens stayed her heart's course, earning top grades and a prestigious Presidential Scholarship at the University of Montana.
There was no doubt she would study physics at UM and, if possible, get involved with NASA-funded research on campus.
But Martens is now learning the universe has its own plans.
The 21-year-old UM junior who is working toward a double major in physics and music and a minor in mathematics has been chosen as one of Glamour's Top Ten College Women for 2007.
The announcement, along with a photo of Martens in a full-length gown playing the violin can be seen in the magazine's June edition, which is now on newsstands.
“It's kind of strange,” Martens said. “I can't believe that this has happened. It just doesn't seem real.”
Martens' photograph and profile kick off a nine-page spread that includes nine other inspiring women honored by the magazine who represent Harvard University, Yale University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Northwestern University, Swathmore College, Arizona State University, Eckerd College and the University of Wisconsin.
“The sheer range of Hilary's talents and interests impressed us: She is a double major in physics and music, brilliant enough to land a summer research position with NASA scientists and talented enough to compose violin pieces based on her research findings,” said Jill Herzig, Glamour executive editor.
Martens said she submitted her application on a whim, prompted by Laure Pengelly Drake, director of advising at UM's Davidson Honors College.
When the application arrived in the mail, Pengelly Drake called Martens and told her she should take the time to fill it out.
Martens said she had nothing to lose and agreed to enter the competition. In her personal essay, she told the judges about how the research she does studying ions in the magnetosphere of Saturn inspired her to create a violin composition, that she plays in a fiddle band, raises money to fund libraries in impoverished communities in Guatemala, and competes in marathon canoe races.
In March, Martens got word she was chosen from a pool of hundreds of applicants and had made the final cut.
Herzig explained the selection process as an exhaustive, yet inspiring process.
“We carefully review candidates' transcripts, grades, recommendations, essays and all the other materials they send us - everything from a CD of songs they've composed to pictures of a clinic they've helped to build in a remote African village,” she said. “We narrow it down to a group of finalists and do interviews with all of them to get a sense of their personalities.”
The magazine flew Martens to Manhattan for a whirlwind weekend photo shoot, where she was given the full glamour treatment - manicure, pedicure, a rack of designer clothes to choose from, two fashion consultants and a personal makeup artist.
“It was a fun experience to be flown to New York,” she said. “I grew up in Missoula and I have never been to New York before. They flew me first class and I stayed at the Maritime Hotel where a lot of models stay when they are in New York.”
On June 5, the magazine will fly Martens and the other winners back to New York, where they will be honored at an awards ceremony for their campus leadership, scholastic achievement, community involvement and their unique, inspiring goals.
Martens said her goal is to be a physics professor and a lead researcher on a future space mission.
The accolades and the attention are nice, if unnerving, Martens said. But her success would not have been possible without the people who have touched her life and without the support of her hometown.
“I have a lot of thank-yous,” she said. “A lot of these girls who won this award have overcome enormous obstacles. I have had a lot of opportunity, and that's all because of the support of all my teachers at Sentinel and at UM, my family, my friends, the Davidson Honors College - and this community I grew up in. It's the reason I've been able to follow my dreams.”
Reporter Betsy Cohen can be reached at 523-5253 or at bcohen@missoulian.com
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