Hawaii Pacific University Athletics

Year on HPU Cheer: 2^nd Year
Cheer Experience: HPU Small Coed, Cheer 808 All Stars International Open Coed 5, East Coast Stars International Open Coed 5, East Coast Stars Unlimited Senior Coed 5, East Coast Stars Small Senior 3, Coastal Vibe Open Coed 6, Coastal Vibe Senior Coed 4, SC Spirit Senior 3, 2 years of high school cheer, 2 years of middle school cheer.
Specialty Skills: Kick fulls
What attracted you to HPU: I saw Laurie Ann on the cover of American Cheerleader Magazine, and decided I wanted to cheer for HPU after reading her article. I've also grown up watching HPU perform at nationals in Daytona, Florida, and loved seeing their innovative choreography in the routines. The Aloha Spirit they bring with them from the islands was also welcoming. When I wanted to talk to the cheerleaders about the university, everyone was always willing to stop and say something, even if they were busy with another thing.
Favorite part of cheerleading: Many would say that their favorite part would be stunting, tumbling, dancing, performing, etc. My favorite part starts at practice. It's all of the long hours spent in the gym, working your tail off to perfect one 2 minute and 30 second routine; all of the blood, sweat and tears you shed with your teammates. The relations you build with each other, and eventually call them your 'Ohana, the dedication and determination vibing off of each individual athlete on and off that ugly blue mat. And when all is said and done, and you go on to perform your routine, it's the roar of the crowd you hear behind the curtain [or the bandshell] when they call your team's name. It's that adrenaline rush you get right before your foot hits that mat, the energy you feel while one stage, and the satisfaction of knowing you gave it your all.