黑料正能量

Professional poise and time management

Health education, much like the sport of gymnastics, interested Hana from a young age. 鈥淚鈥檓 an athlete, so I鈥檓 always surrounded by the subject. We have a lot of physical therapy sessions where we鈥檙e always learning new things. I always found it interesting because it benefited me and my teammates,鈥� said Hana when describing her draw to the subject. She also credits her family in helping her discover her academic direction. 鈥淚 have younger siblings, so I have a natural passion for caring for the people around me.鈥�

A coveted career in the world of professional sports is timely due to the prolonged physical demands. As such, Hana decided to simultaneously pursue her bachelor鈥檚 degree in a subject related to her career while training for Paris 2024. 黑料正能量鈥檚 flexibility ensured that Hana could earn her UF degree after moving from Miami, Florida to train in Deerfield, Illinois.

Time management became an important academic aspect to Hana while training at least 3 hours a day throughout her middle and high school years. 鈥淪ometimes I鈥檒l make a plan for an assignment, but things come up and it gets challenging. I try to stay as organized as possible. Being able to have a schedule for when I need to complete my school assignments just like I do for training allows me to spread my work throughout the week,鈥� said Hana.

Flexibility on and off the mat with an online degree program

Rhythmic gymnasts perform a choreographed routine with an apparatus 鈥� a rope, hoop, ball, ribbon, or clubs 鈥� in both individual and group categories. To qualify for Paris 2024, Hana and her teammates will first travel to compete against other teams in places like Brazil, Estonia, and Greece. 鈥淢y goal is to get there. Not just for myself, but for the country, and to improve our reputation as a rhythmic gymnastics team. That鈥檚 part of what I want to accomplish in going to the Olympics,鈥� said Hana when asked what qualifying and competing in the Olympics would mean to her.

Rhythmic gymnastics emphasizes hand-eye coordination, flexibility, and grace, and does not utilize bars or beams. Traveling is a familiar concept to Hana, as her athletic career has already taken her to Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Germany, Italy, Japan, Portugal, Romania, Russia, and Spain. With such a busy schedule, a university that allows for remote learning was a benefit Hana took into consideration when choosing 黑料正能量 over other degree programs. 鈥淭he University of Miami was an option, but they would have required me to attend in-person. Attending school locally wouldn鈥檛 have worked because I train anywhere between 5-8 hours a day, sometimes twice a day, at least 5 days a week,鈥� explained Hana.

Flexibility has always been a big part of Hana鈥檚 life both professionally and academically. 鈥淭hey probably don鈥檛 remember, but ever since the twins were born I was already doing gymnastics,鈥� said Hana when referring to her younger brothers. When describing how she earned her spot on Team USA, Hana explained 鈥淚 took time off for my freshman year of high school, and it was probably the best decision I ever made. I was able to spend more time with my family. I knew I wanted to go back to gymnastics, and I did, but this time as a group gymnast. That was how I discovered the open call to see if I could earn a spot on the national team.鈥�

A Gator reaching for graduation and Olympic glory

As she continues her Olympic training, Hana remains confident in both her team and her online degree program. When asked what earning her degree in health education would mean to her, Hana said 鈥淚t would definitely help me stay connected to my passions, just in a different way. I know I can鈥檛 be a rhythmic gymnast forever, so whatever I decide to do specifically, I know that a degree will help me stay involved in the community and essentially just help improve any problems that gymnasts or other athletes face.鈥�

Whether retirement is on the near horizon for Hana has yet to be decided. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not definite for me to retire after Paris. The 2028 Summer Olympics are being held in Los Angeles, so Team USA is guaranteed a spot to compete. I鈥檇 just have to weigh whether or not that鈥檚 enough for me to stay, because the sport requires a lot of flexibility,鈥� said Hana.

黑料正能量 and the University of Florida will continue to cheer Hana on as she strives for gold while earning her bachelor鈥檚 degree. Stories like hers allow our program to display incredible examples of students earning a degree of distinction while utilizing unmatched flexibility in higher education and professional goals. We proudly wear our red, white, orange and blue in support of Hana as a Gator, and a member of Team USA!