Save HPU Cheer and Dance!!!

After 23 National Championships, cheerleaders and dancers at Hawaii Pacific University are experiencing budget cuts at its finest. After returning home in April from the Cheer and Dance National Competition, HPU participants were told this would be their last year of competition. 

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Ohana for life.
Photo Credit: HPU Cheer and Dance

According to Todd Simmons, Hawaii Pacific’s VP of Marketing and Communications, “We’re bringing expenses related to this program, more in line with what we want the size and scope of the cheer and dance programs to be. They’ve grown significantly in expenses over the past four years and we’re trying to bring the cost in.”

HPU's dancers circle up before their friends and family sendoff for nationals.
Photo Credit: HPU Dance

Despite the upsetting news, these college athletes are pushing harder than ever to keep their tradition alive. In the efforts to do so HPU cheerleaders and dancers have participated in may activities to raise awareness on this issue and have raised over $7,000 to go towards their team accounts.





2011-2012 National Champions!
Photo Credit: HPU Cheer

Petitions, social media support, fundraisers, flash mobs, and much more, have been a contribution to this debate. Cheerleaders and dancers hope the school will recognize their effort to save the Hawaii Pacific cheer and dance legacy and their decision will be influenced by their love for the program. 

Small Town Girl

Tracey outside of her beautiful country
home.
Photo By:Brittany Watson

When she’s not raising hell in honky tonks, or driving 500 miles a day in her Chevy truck, Tracey Dyleski is your everyday college student.  She is currently a junior at Kansas State University where she fits right in.  Distinguishable by her boots, Tracey lives a country girl life. She was born in raised in Albuquerque, NM, where she started riding horses by the age of six. Tracey grew up with a brother three years younger than her, and they have been close her entire life. Her dad’s job moved the family to Kansas in November of 2004, to a perfect home in the country side. She graduated from Kansas City Christian in 2008 and started off college in Texas, before returning back to Kansas. Tracey was raised in a Christian home where church and bible studies are very important. Her love for the lord and faith has helped shape the women she is today.

One of Tracey's many prized possessions.
Photo By: Brittany Watson

In her free time, Tracey enjoys spending time with her family, riding her horse, shopping, and traveling to her favorite states. These states include New Mexico, Texas, and Colorado. She also loves spending time with her friends, working out, and watching reruns of Grey’s Anatomy. She hates cooking but most definitely has an appetite for freshly made sandwiches.  After graduating from Kansas State in December 2013, Tracey plans on taking her degree in Social Sciences and Family Studies, back to Texas. She intends to work as a trauma counselor, specializing with troubled teenagers. Her dream come true would be to live outside of Austin, Texas with a family of her own, her amazing horse, Zig, and cat, Houston.

Family horses, Surprise and Garcia.
Photo By: Brittany Watson

Tracey’s younger brother is a bull rider and has been doing so for the last two years.  The first summer that he started rodeoing, Tracey was unable to attend any of the events because they were living in separate states.  The first time that she had the opportunity to see him was a special moment that she will never forget.  Nineteen year old boys tend to be pretty tough but this situation brought them closer than ever.  As Tracey was nervously chewing off her nails in the bleachers, her brother was preparing himself to climb aboard an 1800 pound explosive animal.  Right as he was about to climb on, he looked over at Tracey, mouthed that he loved her, and made his 8 second ride. 

Man's Best Friend

The Lost, Lonely, Puppy



Photo by: Brittany Watson


This photo tells the story of a lost, lonely, puppy. He was found on the back porch of a friend’s house, where I decided to take him home with me. I could tell that he needed love and support and I was determined to help him. Within the next day, his owner reported him missing and he was safely returned back home.

Journalists at Work

Photo by: Brittany Watson

Avila University's, Professor Snorgrass and student Mohammed Al-Abdulla, intensely discuss an assignment given to the Introduction to Journalism class.

ROCK CHALK!

Photo by: Brittany Watson

On Saturday, March 31st, proud Jayhawk fans swarm Lawrence's Mass Street, 

celebrating their victory against Ohio State.

Wellness

On the campus of Avila University, there are over 50 clubs and organizations. One of them in particular is the Wellness Organization, directed by Avila University’s Registered Nurse, Carol Frevert. 

Carol Frevert, Regestered Nurse and Wellness directer, at Avila University.
Photo by: Brittany Watson

The main focus of this organization is to engage students at Avila University in the promotion of wellness. This includes enhancing health, and developing healthy choices, mentally and physically. Within the organization there are many programs that are offered to expand these qualities, such as, wellness forums, classes, activities, and events on campus and locally.

A behind the scenes look at Carol Frevert's nursing station.
Photo by: Brittany Watson

The Wellness Organization participates strongly in working with other clubs and organizations, departments, and schools. This is to expand the knowledge of these groups and to provide many activities for students on campus. One organization Wellness teams up with is, PEACH, Peers Educating Avila about Counseling and Health. The main idea of these two organizations is to present a comprehensive outlook for the community of the school.

Being Health Awareness month, I got the chance to meet with Nurse Carol to discuss the top five, and most important ways to stay well. The first way is rest. Many times students don’t receive enough sleep causing their body to shut down. Performance in class can become poor and attention spans can be altered tremendously.  The second way is eating well. If students are giving their bodies the proper nutrients and cutting back on junk foods, their immune systems can stay strong, preventing weight gain and increasing performance. The third way is drinking lots of water. It is extremely important to stay hydrated. Many times dehydration can lead to other serious issues including, changes in the body, kidney failure and life threatening issues.

Avila University helps celebrate April's Health Awareness Month!
Photo by: Brittany Watson

The forth way is washing your hands. Nowadays there are countless bacteria’s and diseases. Not washing your hands can lead to different infections, sicknesses, and outbreaks. Washing your hands will not only keep you healthy and safe, but also the people at Avila University. And the fifth way is seeking help if you’re sick. Many times students will put off a cold or a stomach ache and ignoring your body can make it worse. It is so important to treat the first signs of sicknesses. This will prevent feeling terrible and allowing the sickness to become worse.

“Health Services provides health care, health education, and referrals to other resources which can help students deal with illnesses and injuries, maintain physical health, and improve their health” Carol Frevert, RN