Sophomore
Freeport, Illinois
Why did you chose Central?
I chose Central because I really liked how small the campus was as well as the small class sizes. Central also had my major laid out for me. I knew which classes I needed to take as well as when I should study abroad and get internships. Central also allowed me to participate in both track and volleyball and track my freshman year. I knew I was going to come here the minute I arrived in Pella. It’s such a beautiful town. Central was the first college I visited and ever since then I had been comparing all the other colleges to Central. My friend told me that she had done that and that is how she knew where she wanted to go. I realized I was doing that with Central.
Favorite professor and why?
Professor Cody Huisman. He taught my favorite classes on anatomy. He would provide us with skeletons in class so we can see the bones and muscles besides on the powerpoint. He also does funny video Fridays. Every Friday, he plays a funny video in the beginning of class and I really like that.
Who are your go-to musical artists ?
have a lot of favorite musical artists that I love to listen to. I listen to all genres of music. If I had to choose one it would probably be (very hardcore name): Five Finger Death Punch. I usually don’t come off as a punk rock, hard metal kind of person, but I absolutely love the music. I chose this band because I listen to them to help me get in the zone or right set of mind. I listen to them when I am at a track meet. I usually just skip to them on my playlist when I really need to focus when I am warming up before a meet. They get me ready to go.
You’re majoring in athletic training because?
I chose this major because I want to go to PT school after I graduate from Central and become a Physical Therapist. I had two options on my major when I came to Central: Exercise Science or Athletic Training. Both of these majors would help me move on to becoming a physical therapist. I chose athletic training because I really wanted the hands-on experience and I wanted to work with athletes because I am one. I’ve always been interested in anatomy and how the body works as well as how to fix the body when it’s injured. I knew athletic training would be a good fit for me.
What is the oldest thing you own?
The oldest thing I own is probably my stuffed dolphin pillow pet. I’ve had it since I was about 13. I really wanted a pillow pet when I was younger, and when I got it for Christmas one year I was so excited. I never sleep without it. I bring it home with me when I’m on break, I bring it to track meets, and I bring it when I sleep in a hotel. This may be a bit childish, but it’s one of those childhood things where it helped me through a lot.
What is one thing you miss about being a kid?
The one thing I miss about being a kid is nap time. Since I have been in college, I have tried to get a nap in every day. As a kid, you wouldn’t want to go to sleep. All we would want to do is play. Now that I am an adult, I wish I did not take those naps for granted. All I want to do is nap.
Teammate you’d like to see try out for the Voice?
Probably Yana Rouse. I’ve heard her sing many times and she’s pretty good.
If you could speak another language, which would it be and why?
If I could speak another language, it would be French. My parents took French in high school and they would speak some of it to me. I think it is a beautiful language. It would also be very handy if I went to France and I could speak the language.
If you could bring one musician back from the dead, who would be and why?
Elvis Presley. I would bring him back from the dead because he was the king of rock and roll. Also my mom really loves him. Every year on Christmas eve, we would sing Blue Christmas to one of our relatives who can’t make it to our party. We call her and my aunt plays the song on the guitar while all the girls sing the background part.
What are 3 things you like to do during your free time?
Watch Netflix (TV shows or movies), listen to music, do puzzles (sudoku, crosswords, rubik's cube)
Favorite TV Show
The Office or Friends. I have a lot of favorite TV shows, but those two as so great and so similar that I can’t decide. They are both equally funny. I also would watch them with my parents and we would have a good laugh. I’m always happy if I see that friends is on TV. These shows are ones that I’d go back to and watch them over and over again because they are so awesome.
What’s one thing people might not know about Coach Walz?
Coach Walz is an awesome coach and I wouldn’t ask for anyone else to be my coach. He isn’t really a yeller. He is always calm when showing us how to correct our spins. However, there was this one time last year, I was throwing hammer and I have trouble getting my foot all the way around on my spin and he just yelled “get your foot around!”. It was kind of in a mad tone and it scared me. Everyone just started laughing because coach Walz never yells at us. The look on my face was priceless.
What’s your favorite part about being a member of Central track and field?
My favorite part is being close to everyone on the team, not just the throwers, but the sprinters and distance runners. They really emphasize that you are part of a family when you join the team. I always look forward to practice because if I had a bad day, my teammates would cheer me up and make me laugh. I also cheer myself up by getting to do what I love everyday, and that is throwing. The coaches are very good at teaching us and being our friends. We go to Coach Walz’s house for pre-conference dinner and his family is always welcoming.
"Ten years from now I’ll...”
Be working at a Physical Therapy place in the Midwest somewhere. I’ll hopefully be married by that time.
Favorite food from Central Market
Fresh Cookie Tuesday for sure. I look forward to that every week. My day always becomes better when I realize it’s fresh cookie Tuesday. They are so delicious, warm, and gooey. The M&M ones are my favorite.
Bucket list
My bucket list contains travelling around the world and meeting famous people. I have always wanted to travel Europe. There are many countries that I would want to visit: France, England, Ireland, Greece, Italy, Spain, etc. I have always wanted to go to Italy because pasta is my favorite food as well as Ireland because it is so beautiful there. I am very grateful that I can cross some of these countries off of my list when I study abroad. I also have a list of famous people that I would want to meet.One in particular is Jimmy Fallon. I really love his shows and he is really funny. I used to watch him on SNL. Another thing on my bucket list is to go to the Olympics. This would be either going and watching or going and competing. That would be pretty awesome.
