The feeling of being a Stanford Dollie on the sidelines under the Saturday Night Lights of the Stanford Stadium is like no other! It is a night filled with Stanford traditions, excitement and team spirit. As a Stanford Dollies I am part of the official dance troupe of the Leland Stanford Junior University Marching Band and together with our Stanford Tree Mascot, we carry on the Stanford game day traditions beginning with a tailgate party parade followed by our tailgate pre-game performance and pre-game and half-time performances on the field. We perform our dances all night from the best seat in the house, on the sidelines with the team!
I am honored to be one of only five amazing Dollies, and the only Native American (Navajo), to ever be selected to carry on the amazing legacy and traditions of the Stanford Dollies. Since 1953, the Stanford Dollies have forged a legacy of excellence and are known for their high dance standards, commitment, hard work, and multigenerational bonds of sisterhood. To become a Dollie, I navigated an extremely competitive, multi-round selection process involving dance auditions and intense interviews with current and past Dollies, as well as Band Management. My hard work and persistence were rewarded on “roll out” day with a celebratory, early morning surprise. I was thrilled and proud to officially join the Stanford Dollies Team!!
Being a Dollie demands both physical and mental resilience, balancing a rigorous schedule of daily practices with performances at weekly sporting events, campus rallies, and community functions. During summer, we dedicate ourselves to learning over 60 traditional routines which are passed down through generations and require us to master them with exceptional synchronicity and precision. We also create and integrate new choreography, ensuring our legacy evolves and thrives. Our team shares the duties of President, Vice-President, Treasurer, Social Media Manager, and Community Manager and it keeps us pretty busy all year long!
While my role as a Dollie is a key part of my life, it is one of several commitments I balance, along with my engineering coursework, a job, and club participation and leadership roles. I have an ambitious schedule, and the workload can sometimes feel overwhelming. To manage my stress and keep life balanced, I prioritize time management, self-care, and lean on the support of friends, mentors, and family. And above all, I am guided and strengthened by my Navajo heritage – the teachings, ceremonies, and prayers – which are at the heart of everything that I do. This spiritual foundation is what grounds me even as the stage and lights of life changes.
When I stepped onto the field as a Stanford Dollie at the last home game, my attention wasn’t on the bright Saturday night lights or the crowd’s roar but on the ground beneath my feet. I realized the ground of a stadium that once bore the mark of a hurtful and stereotypical mascot – The Indian – is now the ground that supports me. Instead of standing on a symbol of disrespect, I am claiming that ground with pride and purpose. And the courage it took for me to step out of my comfort zone to chase this dream returns as I feel a powerful connection to the past and future simultaneously. My presence on the field at Stanford University, as a Native American Dollie, is the vibrant proof that our Native Nations are dynamic, vital, and moving forward. Being a Dollie is a challenging yet rewarding experience that has helped me build a new level of confidence and resiliency which I will need for my next great adventure!
Dollie Motto: “Once a Dollie, always a Dollie.”
