Please Meet Kyra Geissler

 

Please meet Kyra Geissler! “I grew up in Chicago and finished high school in New Mexico. I have been vegetarian for 7 years and love being outdoors. In addition to dance, I rock climb, backpack and kayak..”

If you could go back a few years, what is one thing you would do differently? “Taken more dance classes in high school!.”

With the COVID crisis, what one thing have you learned to truly appreciate?  “My family and spending more time with them.”

What is the worst haircut you have ever had? “My best friend and I decided to donate our hair to Locks or Love when we were in our last year of high school, so together we braided our hair pig tails and chopped each other’s hair at the same time. It turned out like a super old-fashioned bob cut that was only as long as my jaw line. It took forever to grow out too!”

What is your favorite part of The College of Idaho? “The amazing international community that I get to be a part of.!”

If you could bring back 1 fashion trend, what would it be? “Dressing up when out of the house. No offense to anyone who doesn’t do this, but I really don’t like athleisure.”

What biggest change have you seen in yourself because of your decision to become a YOTE?  “I see myself dedicated enough to community to do what it takes to make it grow, even if it’s not easy! I feel responsible for both the college’s successes and it’s faults, in a way I never imagined I would’ve.”

Who has been your biggest influencer? “Bix Firer, Director of the Outdoor Program. Bix has always encouraged me and has done so much to help me achieve my full potential. I am so grateful for him and all the work he does at the College!”

If you could say 1 thing to yourself as a senior in High School, what would it be? “To take more pride in the decisions I made and know that everything happens for a reason.”

 If you could meet anyone famous (dead or alive)? “Ndaba Mandela, Nelson Mandela’s grandson.”

“I am proud of myself for being committed to growth and introspection. I know that I am far from perfect, but I always do my best to recognize my faults, take accountability and learn from my mistakes.”

Kyra is in her second season dancing for Purple Illusion Dance Line.

 

Please meet sophomore Krista Hamel.   “I am in my second year at the College of Idaho, majoring in Art and Design with minors in Biology and Psychology.  When I'm not studying or stretching, I spend a lot of my time painting, drawing, bullet journaling, and teaching myself how to draw digitally as well as animation.”

If you could go back a few years, what is one thing you would do differently? “I think that all of our life experiences shape us into the person we become, so there isn't one thing that I would distinctly change then, that I couldn't also change right now.”

 What 1 thing have you learned to truly appreciate during the COVID crisis? “Time I get to spend with friends and family (not that I ever took it for granted before but with interactions limited, those moments are the more important to me)”

 

What is the worst haircut you have ever had? “Don't think I've ever had a haircut I didn't like at the time”

What is your favorite part of The College of Idaho?  “Forever ago when we were on campus....I really liked the campus”

 

Fashion trends.  If you could bring back one, what would it be?  “I don't know if I'd bring back any specific fashion trend but I love (though I haven't had the opportunity to yet) thrifting-up clothes (aka finding thrift store clothes and sewing/painting them into a new article of clothing to wear)”

All seriousness for a minute- who is your Disney hero?  “I love Rapunzel (the Disney version) because she isn't afraid to explore the world, stand up for herself, and appreciates every moment in front of her.  Plus her entire tower was a canvas to paint! Wouldn't trade places with her though, because...well the whole locked up in a tower for 18 years of her life wasn't so great!”

What TV Show/movie helped get you through College so far? “I don't know if it helped me get through College but I watched a lot of Warehouse 13 last semester...”

If you could say 1 thing to yourself as a senior in High School, what would it be? “Be confidently you!”

Krista is finishing her second year on the Purple Illusion Dance Line.

 

Please meet Sophomore Lily Archuleta. “I’m a sophomore, psychology major with minors in Spanish, art and health promotion! I’d love to attend grad school & eventually become a counselor one day!”

If you could go back a few years, what is one thing you would do differently? “care less about what others thought of me.”

What 1 thing have you learned to truly appreciate during the COVID crisis? “seeing somebody smile”

What is the worst haircut you have ever had? “Bangs”

What is your favorite part of The College of Idaho?  “The close knit community!”

 Fashion trends.  If you could bring back one, what would it be?  “Birkenstock’s & socks”

All seriousness for a minute- who is your Disney hero?  “Mulan & no!”

What biggest change have you seen in yourself because of your decision to become a YOTE?  “I’m a lot more confident & happier with my life!”

 Who has been your biggest influencer? “Jen Wallin-Ruschman”

 What TV Show/movie helped get you through College so far? “New Girl”

If you could say 1 thing to yourself as a senior in High School, what would it be? “It gets better”

If you could meet anyone, alive or dead, who would it be?  “Barack Obama”

Lily is finishing her first season on the Purple Illusion Dance Line.

Please meet Reese Kinney

 

Please meet Freshman Reese Kinney!   “Hi! I'm Reese Kinney and I'm a Freshman here at the college. I am from here in town and graduated from Caldwell High. I have been dancing since I was four years old and love every second of performing. At the college I plan to major in Biomedical sciences, eventually going to graduate school for Forensic Science.”

If you could go back a few years, what is one thing you would do differently? “I think the most important thing that I would change is to not take time for granted. To just learn to live in the moment.”

With the COVID crisis, what one thing have you learned to truly appreciate?  “I learned to appreciate my younger brothers. While we fight very, there is nothing like having two built in best friends.”

 

What is the worst haircut you have ever had? “Definitely the mullet as a young girl!”

What is your favorite part of The College of Idaho?  “I love the small school aspect. I love being able to meet so many people even when we have online classes!”

What biggest change have you seen in yourself because of your decision to become a YOTE?  “I have definitely learned to be more confident. With the small class sizes I definitely learned to go outside my comfort zone and to put myself out there even just to make new friends!”

 

Who has been your biggest influencer? “My biggest influencer would have to be GG (Anderson). While I have known GG for many years, she really pushed me to be better than I already was in the last year. She has pushed me to do more & be more- I am forever grateful.”

 

What TV Show/movie helped get you through College so far? “Criminal Minds!”

If you could say 1 thing to yourself as a senior in High School, what would it be? “It would be to take the jump to go outside your comfort zone.”

IF you could meet anyone famous (dead or alive)? “I would love to meet the poet Atticus!”

Tryouts for 21-22 Purple Illusion Season are officially open for registration!

 Tryouts for 21-22 Season are open for registration!