Meet Keira Martin

Keira’s parents, CHEA members Scott & Stephanie Martin, decided to start homeschooling Keira and her sisters in 2014. Since then, both she and her parents have been actively involved in Anaheim Magnolia Christian School, a CHEA Support Network PSP in Orange County. She is a natural leader in the group and often volunteers to help with the younger students at a variety of events.

Keira plans to attend California Baptist University in Riverside, CA to pursue a degree in Architecture.

Congratulations, Keira!

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I am a crafter. I make stuff out of anything within reach. Whether it’s a dog out of hair ties, Star Wars blasters out of cardboard, or dragon eggs from empty chapstick, I enjoy the process of creating. Homeschooling has allowed me to get my homework done at my own pace; then I am able to use my extra time to create. My friends who are in public school spend eight hours a day in class and an extra four hours doing homework every night. I am incredibly grateful that I am homeschooled and do not have to spend most of the day in class and can instead take courses that are useful for the rest of my life. I have had the opportunity to receive a faith-based education and take academically challenging classes, while still finding enough time to participate in things I am passionate about and grow my faith.

At the young age of six, I was ready to give my life to Christ. I sat on my parents’ bed and asked them how to become a Christian. Having grown up in a Christian home, I went to church every Sunday and youth group on Wednesdays. But these things don’t make you a Christian. Salvation is by faith alone, in Christ alone. It wasn’t until I started attending my junior high youth group that I began to fully understand what it meant to be a Christian. Being a Christian is more than showing up to church and reading your Bible. Christianity is also coming alongside friends who need a shoulder to lean on, engaging in the body of Christ, and so much more.

When I was in the fourth grade, my parents made the decision to homeschool me and my younger sisters. This change made a massive impact in my life. My education went from a secular worldview to a Christ-centered one. While working on math, literature, and even science homework, I am reminded of God’s hand in everything. God being at the center of everything I did shaped my walk with him. In addition to my regular prayer life, I recently started the habit of praying for clarity and focus before starting my school day and every test. This small act has helped to grow my relationship with the Lord and remind me that I am not alone, even in the day-to-day things. Looking back on my early years of homeschooling, I am so grateful to have grown up with the opportunity to learn in a Christ-centered environment.

Being homeschooled has allowed me to organize my schedule to accomplish school work while still having time set aside to create all the crafts I enjoy. From building epic LEGO mansions to crocheting baskets and crafting with paper, my life has been one of creativity. I am an independent learner, largely self-taught, and highly prepared academically and ready for university studies. As I started to consider my future career, I knew that it would be a creative endeavor. That’s when I came across architecture and instantly fell in love. Architecture has room for creativity, but it also requires mathematical and intense 3D precision, and I knew this field was right for me. I hope to gain an outstanding education from my university studies at the same time as I grow in my faith. My goal is to learn and grow academically, socially, and spiritually while I pursue my professional career as an architect. Architecture will allow me to express my creativity in a way that makes a community impact.

I am incredibly grateful to my parents for the opportunities homeschooling has given me and for the patience my parents have shown throughout this process. Homeschooling has allowed me and my family to take field trips to national parks, zoos, museums, and even a ramen factory. My favorite of these field trips was when my family went and saw the Monterey Aquarium. These field trips allowed me to experience the world outside of the classroom, while continuing to learn. Homeschooling has allowed my family to pursue alternative methods of education and that has provided such a rich learning experience.

Looking back on my education, I am incredibly grateful for the impact homeschooling has made on my spiritual, educational, and personal life. The way I am able to spend my time has allowed me to explore my God given-gifts and this has opened up my career path. God willing, I would like to homeschool my kids to provide them with the same Christ-centered education I received. In the meantime, I am excited to continue my education at California Baptist University and earn my master’s degree in architecture.

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Each year, CHEA’s Support Network provides the Susan K. Beatty Scholarship, named in honor of CHEA’s founder, in the amount of $1,000, to a CHEA Member who is also a member of a CHEA Support Network Group and a graduating senior. Deadline for application is February 28 of each year.