Aaron Vehling

Senior Kristen Vanschyndel always has possessed the desire to make the most out of life, even after experiencing some of its high points, like dancing at Super Bowl XXXIII.

While the majority of her family members stayed close to the Green Bay area after high school, Vanschyndel wanted to escape the home scenery and venture out elsewhere. This led her to Eau Claire.

“Something just drew me here,” Vanschyndel said. “Once I arrived on campus, I knew.”

While many freshmen may have difficulty adjusting to college life, Vanschyndel, an English education major, immediately become involved in various organizations.

“I’m so interested in so many different types of things,” she said. “I’m always trying to squeeze things in.”

Throughout her four-and-a-half years at Eau Claire, Vanschyndel has squeezed in a variety of activities.

She’s coached dance students at a local high school, been an RA for nearly 20 Sutherland residents more than once and has traveled across the world.

In addition to this, she currently is dealing with making a decision that could lead her in many different directions after she graduates in December.

Love for dance

In eighth grade, Vanschyndel discovered a deep love for dancing, which inspired her to be involved in it throughout high school.

“(Dancing has) really helped me become a leader in so many ways,” she said. “I think everyone has a raging passion for something, and dancing is that for me.”

During her senior year, Vanschyndel declined to make her third appearance at the state dance competition to perform on a bigger stage – at the Super Bowl.

The All-Star Dance Academy, which is based in New Jersey, holds a camp every summer for dancers from across the United States. Five hundred of the best dancers at the camps get to perform professional routines at major events.

For Vanschyndel, the event was Super Bowl XXXIII at Pro Player Stadium in Miami.

“It’s honestly one of my favorite memories ever,” she said.

In Miami, the dancers spent a week learning two routines, based on the songs “Kokomo” by the Beach Boys and “Rock ‘n’ Roll All Nite” by Kiss, she said. At the game, the dancers took the field during pregame and displayed their work in front of the capacity crowd.

“Every time you hear those songs, you’re back there,” Vanschyndel said. “You just want to close your eyes and be at Pro Player Stadium again.”

After the Super Bowl, Vanschyndel had a one-year stint with Eau Claire’s Concert Dance Company, but didn’t stay with it when her busy schedule got in the way.

Now, Vanschyndel helps out Mondovi High School’s dance team, constructing routines and running practice three days a week.

“She’s a self starter,” said Lisa Kees, co-coach of Mondovi’s team. “She doesn’t wait for someone to tell her how to do something. She’s already got it done.”

Adventure in England

Before Vanschyndel’s sophomore year arrived, she felt the urge to do something different, she said. With that, she decided to study abroad in England during spring semester 2001

At first, after applying to Harlaxton, Vanschyndel was told that she was too young to participate, she said. After being denied, the Center for International Education told her about an experimental program in Lancaster.

In Lancaster, unlike Harlaxton, students attend a British University and live in on-campus dorms with British students.

At first, Vanschyndel felt homesick in Lancaster, and made frequent calls home while keeping a journal to pass the time, she said.

Once classes started and she starting meeting some people, however, everything became easier, she said.

“Just knowing a few people helps you gain a little confidence,” Vanschyndel said. “Starting classes helped give me focus.”

While abroad, Vanschyndel was able to see more than just Lancaster. She also traveled to cities such as Rome, Florence and Venice in Italy and Paris. Some of her high points came from her visit to the Hall of Mirrors in Versailles, France, and spending Easter in Switzerland with friends.

As the trip neared its conclusion, Vanschyndel found that she wanted to stay longer. When she returned home, she said it seemed “foreign” to her.

Since her time abroad, the Lancaster program has sent many more students abroad, but Vanschyndel believes her experience with the new program is one she will cherish.

Sutherland assistance

Upon her return, Vanschyndel said she already was prepared for a new commitment she had accepted during her time in Lancaster – being an RA.

“I’m generally a really involved person,” she said. “People said I had a good personality (to be an RA).”

RAs receive many benefits from Eau Claire, including a free meal plan and free housing in the residence halls.

Despite these benefits, though, Vanschyndel said she primarily is in it to make college life easier and more fun for her residents.

“Kristen has been able to connect with everyone and make everyone feel important,” senior Christine Dussault said. “She brings a positive and open-minded attitude.”

Once her senior year arrived, Vanschyndel took a one-year hiatus from the position to move off campus and student teach in Mondovi.

After her fourth year, she realized an additional semester was required for her to graduate. Because her remaining time was limited and the cost of off-campus living wasn’t beneficial, she decided to go back to Sutherland as an RA.

Sutherland Hall Director Kimberly Adams said Vanschyndel has been superb with all her help, which has ranged from cookouts to an organized scavenger hunt.

“She has done a wonderful job of creating unity,” Adams said.

Sophomore Kala Leistico shared Adam’s perspective.

“She has shown me that you can be in a position of authority … and still be our friend,” Leistico said.

While this will be her last semester, Vanschyndel said being an RA has helped shape the kind of teacher she wants to be when she leaves Eau Claire.

“Not having that ear to listen will be really hard,” Leistico said.

A peaceful future?

As graduation looms in the back of Vanschyndel’s mind, the idea of traveling abroad immediately after college has been with her since last March.

However, her idea of traveling won’t be a simple vacation. She has plans to join the Peace Corps.

Vanschyndel said ever since she studied abroad, she has been “itching to go back” overseas.

“You feel this need to get somewhere completely different,” she said. “Somewhere much different.”

The Peace Corps began after former Sen. John F. Kennedy encouraged students at the University of Michigan to serve the United States by assisting lesser-developed countries in 1961, according to the organization’s Web site.

Even though she’s not aware where she’ll be stationed, Vanschyndel said she is ready for the challenge.

“I’m willing to go anywhere and do anything,” she said.

Sophomore Stephanie Booms said she admires Vanschyndel’s courage and believes it will take her far in life.

“She doesn’t let her fears get in her way of trying new things,” Booms said. “She isn’t afraid.”

Vanschyndel said her time at Eau Claire has helped her realize just how important people are in her life, and that has helped her understand exactly what her goals in life are.

“There’s a lot of things that I want to do,” she said. “Life’s a journey, not a destination.”