One of the most unexpected and delightful experiences during my time at Vanderbilt University was diving into the world of Hula Hula Dance. It all started with Annalise Miyashiro, a friend from Hawaii and the Panhellenic Council president. Despite neither of us being part of the Asian American Student Association (AASA), Annalise’s Hawaiian background led her to choreograph the hula dance for the annual Asian New Year Festival (ANYF). From my freshman year onwards, I eagerly joined the hula performance, with Annalise guiding us as the choreographer. Interestingly, you don’t need to be a member of AASA to participate in the vibrant ANYF dances – it’s open to everyone!
For someone who doesn’t naturally consider themselves coordinated, like myself – Annalise is the dancer, cheerleader, and hip-hop enthusiast – participating in hula hula dance has been surprisingly empowering. It’s a dance that exudes a sense of calm and friendliness, and the costumes we get to wear each year are simply stunning! 🙂
This year, my enthusiasm for hula even fueled my New Year’s resolution to get in better shape for the Asian New Year Festival. I incorporated running 2-3 times a week and weightlifting into my routine. This is a testament to how getting involved in campus activities can positively spill over into other aspects of your life, motivating you to pursue goals you might not have otherwise considered.
Annalise and Jean performing hula hula dance at Vanderbilt Asian New Year Festival, showcasing their friendship and four-year hula journey.
I feel incredibly fortunate to have a friend as artistically gifted as Annalise. Her talents extend beyond hula to include being part of the Vanderbilt Cheerleading Squad and Vibe, Vanderbilt’s acclaimed hip-hop dance group. Vanderbilt truly is a place where you connect with people from diverse corners of the globe and unlock opportunities to learn new skills, often without any extra cost.
This year, I had the pleasure of partnering with Yizhen, a friend of four years! He has been a wonderful companion throughout my college years, and I know our friendship will continue to thrive long after graduation.
Yizhen and Jean, hula hula dance partners and friends since freshman year, celebrating their bond at Vanderbilt University.
One of Vanderbilt’s most cherished aspects is its diversity. The term “diversity” is often used broadly, but for me, hula hula dance perfectly embodies what diversity at Vanderbilt means. The picture below features five of us who have danced hula together for all four years. Our backgrounds are incredibly varied – Hispanic, Jewish, White, Hawaiian, Chinese – yet we unite through this joyful dance for a shared celebration. I am deeply grateful to call Vanderbilt my home and these amazing individuals my friends! (Fun fact: Tessa has been co-choreographing with Annalise for the past two years!)
Four-year hula hula dancers at Vanderbilt ANYF: Stacy, Annalise, Chris, Tessa, and Jean, representing diverse backgrounds united by dance and friendship.
