Name: Joella Oddi
Major: Nutrition, with a minor in Psychology
Year: Junior
Hometown: Temecula, California
Relationship status: Single
Celebrity crush: Ryan Reynolds
Spirit animal: A fat, wrinkly puppy
Fun fact about yourself: I can clap with one hand
Her Campus: What do people say is your best quality?
Being a supportive friend, and a good listener, open-minded type person.
HC: If we were to give you a million dollars what is the first thing you would spend it on?
I honestly wouldn’t spend it; I would put it in savings. I know that’s a really boring answer, but I would. And I would pay back everyone that I owe money too. Wait! I would travel with it, what am I saying? So put some in savings and then travel, definitely plan a really fun trip around the world for me and my friends.
HC: If you could go anywhere in the world right now, where would you go and why?
I’ve been wanting to go to Boston because I’ve been thinking about going to grad school there, but also either New Zealand or Scotland or Ireland, because they seem really cool and green and lush.
HC: What are you involved with on campus?
I’m a member of PULSE, a Community Advisor, a Poly Rep and a Zumba Instructor.
HC: When are your Zumba classes?
Friday at 4:15 at the Rec Center. I also sometimes teach at 11 a.m. on Saturdays, because we have a rotation for that class. Also, on the Rec Center website, you can check out to see who’s teaching what classes.
(See the Cal Poly Group Exercise Schedule)
HC: How did you get involved and interested in Zumba?
I did Zumba in high school with my mom and sister and loved it, and had a wonderful Zumba instructor. Then, in my sociology class my freshman year, I overheard a girl talking about how she wanted to be a Zumba instructor, so I talked to her and got the name and contact info for Eric Alexander, the supervisor of the group fitness at the Rec Center. Between my freshman and sophomore year of college, I completed a one-day certification training over the summer, and I had a 30-minute dance interview and then I got started teaching my sophomore year!
HC: What is your favorite thing about being a Zumba instructor?
My favorite is when people come to my class and they’re really nervous at first, and then at some point during the class, I’ll see them smile or laugh. It makes me happy because I’m glad they’re having fun and letting out some of their nervous energy.
HC: What would you tell someone who has never been to a Zumba class before and may be nervous?
I would tell them that everybody can dance, and it doesn’t look the same on everyone. Don’t be nervous! It’s fun! It’s just a really fun class; everybody looks different and there’s not just one particular way. You think you need to know how to dance, but that’s not true. I don’t have any formal dance background; you just need to be able to relinquish your nervous energy and have fun with it!
HC: How do balance all the different things you do on campus?
With a planner, and writing everything down. I also have really good support systems, like amazing friends that I love hanging out with, and they help me destress if I’ve had a rough week. And my advising staff is awesome, so being flexible and the people I work with being flexible is very helpful.
HC: What have you gotten out of your involvement on campus?
I feel really privileged having been able to get really involved on campus and being able to meet such amazing people. Some of my positions are volunteering and some are paid, but I would probably do any of them for free because I love them all. I would really encourage people to get involved and find ways to expand their college experience.