“I feel so lucky to receive the personal attention and coaching that I need while still being able to enjoy the positive things that go along with a large university.”
“I chose to attend Florida State University after auditioning for the School of Dance and falling in love with the campus,” said Hanaah Frechette. “The program here allows me to study dance intensively while…exploring other areas of interest.”
Hanaah relishes the opportunities to pursue interests in Spanish language, undergraduate research, service and international study as well as dance. “I have found many exciting ways to be engaged in leadership roles.” She is a Garnet and Gold Guide, vice-president for the Student Advisory Council in the School of Dance, and is completing the requirements for the Global Pathways Certificate.
Hanaah was inspired by her experiences during the Southeast Peace Jam Conference. “I was fortunate to become a mentor at the Southeast Peace Jam Conference that was held at Florida State last March. Throughout the weekend I was able to interact with teens from all over the region who came to share the work they had been doing in their own communities. Nobel Laureate Betty Williams also shared her story with us and the whole experience really sparked my desire to become more involved in FSU and the community.”
The Office of Undergraduate Research and Creative Endeavors granted Hanaah a Mentored Research and Creative Endeavors Award for her summer research project, “Beyond the Canal: Exploring Panama’s National Dances.” For six weeks she researched Panamanian dance and took classes in Panama through the university’s International Programs.
Hanaah credits Florida State’s faculty and staff with helping her to achieve her goals: “I feel so lucky to receive the personal attention and coaching that I need while still being able to enjoy the positive things that go along with a large university.” Her professor, Gerri Houlihan, has been a source of inspiration, guidance and encouragement. “As my mentor for the Research and Creative Endeavors Award, Gerri provided me with valuable resources and contacts to pursue while I was in Panama,” Hanaah said. “In the studio and in the classroom, Gerri…challenges us both artistically and intellectually, and I am…grateful for her generosity and passion.”
After graduation, Hanaah plans to pursue a performing or choreographic career. She hopes travel more, particularly in Central and South America, to broaden her global awareness and to continue to explore cultural dances.