NEWS
April 18, 2011
P3 Designer: Susanne Haala
www.hpu.edu/kalamalamaonline
Yay! Let’s Cheer for HPU
EDITOR’S NOTE: The first week of April, the HPU Cheer and Dance teams traveled to Daytona, Florida for the NCA/NDA Collegiate National Championships. The students gave it their all, led by Dance Coach Jessica Walz, Assistant Cheer Coach Adam Yeatts, and a great support staff. The Large and Small Coed teams won national titles. The Dance team placed third in Hip Hop and in Open Dance II. Cheerleader Emily Pineda writes of her experience at Nationals. EMILY MACNINTCH PINEDA
student writer
We again wear national crowns, and as a team we have invested more heart, sweat and tears into preparing for this competition than ever before. Our adventure at NCA/ NDA Nationals would be no easy task without a head coach — but our assistant coach Adam Yeatts and team captains Savanna Sibley and Clint Whitehead (Small Coed) and April Huliganga and Tyree Payne (Large Coed) gave their all.
Daytona We stepped into the competition zone ready to give our fans and foes a glimpse of what HPU Cheer was all about. Many were probably wondering whether we would fly or fall. It was our last official practice, and I was immediately stiffened. I could feel the stares as we warmed up on the practice grass. Everyone was curious as to what would become of the HPU cheer legacy, without a head coach. People gathered on their balconies and swarmed around us, anxious to predict whether the HPU Large Coed could take their ninth consecutive title and if the HPU Small Coed could overcome their two-year dry spell to win a fifth championship. Prelims Prelims is the day of competition that everyone wants to get over with. Teams perform a crowdcheer in addition to the routine, and it’s the only score that gets carried over to the final results. After prelims both Large Coed and Small Coed had the highest scores in their
division. Large Coed was way ahead of their competition. We were ecstatic and delighted but not over confident. Finals The big day had finally come — even if we think we’re completely ready, anything can happen on that stage. The moment was much more daunting than anticipated. We were backstage and the music was loud enough to make my hands shake. But all I could hear were my own thoughts on what we have gone through to get here. I realized that being here with HPU has been a privilege, honor, and accomplishment all its own. Suddenly I was walking onto the floor, exhilarated to know that this was my last time on the floor and nervous at the same time, knowing that I’d have no chance to redeem myself if anything went wrong. I heard the crowd going wild. Every thought and worry left me, and I was flipping and performing without thought of effort. I saw the smiling faces of
The Dance Team took third place in Hip Hop and Open Dance. my teammates and took that as a cue that everything was going well. I found myself remembering what I loved about cheerleading. The routine quickly came to an end. My nose was burning and the taste of sweat saturated my mouth as I caught my breath. The energy on the floor was like nothing I ever felt before. Awards My eyes were clenched shut, hands grasping teammates to my left and right.
SGA cont and administration, which requires heavy involvement / interest/input of the students in order to maintain, and then increase the number of students studying at HPU,” she said. According to Karabudak, one of the largest student concerns is the layout of the campus and the campus environment, which leads to unsatisfied students. “Of course it would be Yasemin Karabudak unrealistic to say that I will change that in the course of one year, but it will be my pleasure to work on something that will show its effects in the long run,” she said. Karabudak is thinking of creating a focus group consisting of students from various major/degree backgrounds in order to promote positive change on campus. Dr. Geoffrey Bannister, HPU’s new president, will take
The announcer was down to second place, and our names had still not been called. This was the moment of truth. Everyone quiet. “In second place,” the announcer inserted a long pause, “University of Central Oklahoma.” Chills went from my nose to my toes, but I managed to keep warm by being engulfed in hugs. We had won the title. Large Coed rushed to the stage to congratulate us. They had done amazingly well and earned their own national
Photo by HPU Cheer
title. The Dance Team had taken third place in Hip Hop and Open Dance. After the competition, we went to the ocean. As an ohana we circled up for one of our last times together. I took a step back, admiring the beautiful scene, thankful for the dedication of everyone involved with the program — the support of family and friends and the opportunities that we have all been blessed with. Always remember: individually we are each one drop but together we are an ocean.
office July 1, and Karabudak is eager to work with the new administration. “Dr. Bannister is very into student satisfaction and their leadership, so I think it’s advantageous for both sides to work closely together,” Karabudak said. David Tveraas is the new graduate student Senator and one of the leaders of the REFORM ticket. “One of my top goals is to increase the camaraderie at HPU,” Tveraas said. “I plan to do this by putting myself out there as an advocate for the voice of the students and by encouraging student involvement with events and clubs as well as inter-club cooperation.” Tveraas has been talking to grad-centric clubs and graduate students about the issues they find important. If you would like to contact Tveraas, you can email him at dtveraas@my.hpu.edu. Tveraas said he was a very strong supporter of Lussier, but had gracious words for Karabudak. “With Yasemin Karabudak’s victory, Tim’s work and dedication will live on in the reforms pledged by the elected Senate,” he said. “Yasemin has proven herself a skilled and charismatic student leader, and I look forward to working with her. “ There is one message that the SGA would like to say to students: “Talk to us, we will listen.”