“I would love to use my KRS degree to provide physical therapy programs for dancers and athletes in my community who suffer from pain due to illness, disease, or injury related to sports and dance activities.”

Hometown

San Antonio, TX

Department

Kinesiology and Rehabilitation Science

Related Degrees

• BS, KRS: Health & Exercise Science

Why did you choose to pursue a BS degree in KRS Health & Exercise Science?
I chose my program of study because I love sports and science. Kinesiology was the best of both worlds for me because it combined my passion for movement with science. As a dancer for over ten years, I studied classical ballet and contemporary dance and ran track throughout high school.

What/who who inspired you to pursue a career in kinesiology?
When I am in dance class, volunteering at my physical therapy, and as a former athlete, I have seen and currently still see many of my friends and teammates become injured during dance practices and games. I have constantly heard athletic trainers, physical therapists, and dance teachers say that many injuries could have been avoided. I would love to use my KRS degree to provide physical therapy programs for dancers and athletes in my community who suffer from pain due to illness, disease, or injury related to sports and dance activities. I would also like to provide a safe environment for patients to ease their pain, avoid surgery, and teach injury prevention. I ultimately want to become a physical therapist that specializes in dance and sports medicine with a passion to serve all.

How is the COE program impacting or benefitting your career path?
The COE program has benefited my career path by providing opportunities for me to gain research, volunteer, and shadowing experience in the area of my desired career field.

Do you work or participate in any clubs or organizations in or outside of school?
Outside of being a dance minor student in the Department of Theatre and Dance, I am a Mānoa Scholars Club member and meetings coordinator, a dance teacher at a local dance studio, and I volunteer at a local physical therapy clinic.

Why did you want to be a Social Media Ambassador for your program?
As someone who is not from Hawaiʻi, I found it very helpful to watch other students’ experiences at university through social media. It ultimately helped me to select this school for college. I would love to be able to do the same for other prospective students who are interested in studying kinesiology at UH Mānoa. I would love to share my experience through social media and discuss the opportunities that I was given as a kinesiology student. Additionally, I love the creativity that comes with making content. Whether it is editing pictures, videos, or graphic design, I would love to use my creativity via social media posts to showcase the unique aspects of the College of Education’s KRS program.