UH Manoa’s own twirler, Emily Dooms, decided to give us a Her Campus exclusive!
What got you interested in twirling?
“I started twirling when I was about two with my older sister, who is 6 years older. It gave us a cute way to match, and I fell in love with it from then on out.”
Do you think twirling takes up a large amount of your time?
“While it doesn’t take up as much time in college now, during competitive times I practice anywhere from 20 to 40 hours a week, the intensity of which is demanded because I’ve represented the United States four times and have two International Championship titles.”
What else are you involved in on campus?
“In addition to twirling for UH (Go ‘Bows), I’m also a member of Pre-Medical Association, as well as a Victoria’s Secret PINK Campus Representative.”
What is your major and dream job?
“I’m a Biochemistry Major with Honors with a pre-medicine focus, and I hope to one day be an MD! I’d like to work with children in some way.”
If you were not a twirler, what other sport would you have played?
“Well, given that I’ve twirled for 18 years of my life, I couldn’t imagine it any differently. Twirling is an integral part of who I am, and I don’t think I could ever even DREAM of replacing it with anything. I wouldn’t be the Emily Dooms that I am today without the experiences I’ve had.”
If I handed you a million dollars, what would be the first thing you bought?
“Well, while I might throw in a foundation and some match sticks from FENTY beauty, I’d probably give most of that money towards foundations that help people in abusive or damaging relationships. Given that I’ve been in a situation like that before and felt so absolutely alone, I’d like to help everyone I can to let them know that they never have to be alone again. In addition, I’d like to donate money to the ACLU to support all of their work with undocumented immigrants in America and helping to support Civil Liberty Cases all over the United States.”
Best advice you give to people, both to friends and to the girls who look up to you?
“I do a sport that involved dressing up in a full face of makeup and Swarovski Crystals, but that alone doesn’t represent me. I enjoy math and science and the works, but I’ve never sacrificed any femininity to do that. Don’t let any one trait define you – be yourself always, in every multifaceted form you can, and don’t worry about being too complex or smart or intimidating. If someone has a problem with that, it’s their problem, not yours.”
Favorite Quote:
“Sometimes the future changes quickly and completely, and we’re left with only the choice of what to do next. We can choose to be afraid of it, to stand there trembling not moving, assuming the worst that can happen, or we step forward into the unknown and assume it will be brilliant.” -Grey’s Anatomy, Cristina Yang