PAGE 6 I THE MEREDITH HERALD | OCTOBER 21, 2009
PO
PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Name: Mallory Booker
Year; 2011
Major; Exercise Sports Science with a
concentration in Health and Wellness
Minor: Psychology
Jur^ior Mallory Booker is a
crucial part of the 2009 Meredith
Volleyball Team. As one of the
most dangerous outside hitters on
the team, Booker is a key player
on offense as well as a consis
tent protection on defense. It is
because of Booker's many talents
that this year’s team is successful.
Booker’s love for volleyball
started when she was in middle
school. In the sixth grade Booker
was the volleyball team manager,
but by 7th grade she was^ stand
out player on the court, Her lover
for the game continued to fuel her
success, and In high school she
decided to make the commitment
to play volleyball at the collegiate
level.
’'I decided on playing at Mer
edith because I know I wanted to -
go. to a school where my educa
tion would be very important.
The Meredith volleyball program
mirrored all of the same qualities
I was looking for. I wanted to play
for a program that valued the team
as a whole and not as individuals.
Photo courtesy www.meredith.edu/athlet-
ics/volleyball
This Meredith program caught my
attention by the level of competi
tion, sportsmanship, and fun all
tied together," stated Booker.
Booker also loves the memo
ries and relationships she has
formed by being a member of the
MEREDITH
AVINIIIfl ANIIIil
Meredith Volleyball team. Some
of her most treasured college
memories include playing on the
volley ball team. However, Booker
also is a dedicated student off the
court. She is an ESS major with a
concentration in Health and Well
ness, as well as a psychology mi
nor. Booker says the hardest thing,
about college is time management,
but she is thankful to have such an
understanding coach who is sup
portive of her school work as well,
Because of Booker’s talents
and hardworking attitude, the
Meredith Volleyball team is sure to
achieve a very high level of suc
cess this season.
"Our team this year has tons of
potential. We have a huge class of
freshman with amazing talent, and
returners whp continue to show
their hard work and dedication to
this program. I think we will pull out
a great season this year. Teams
are scared to play us. If we bring
our A-game we can definitely end
up first in our conference,” con
firmed Booker.
MORE THAN A DANCE INSTRUCTOR
UPCOMING
EVENTS
Saturday Oct. 24:
Volleyball vs Christopher
Newport 11am (Newport
News;VA)
I 'V
Volleyball vs Ferrum 1pm
(Newport News, VA)
Soccer vs Methodist 2pm
(Fayetteville, NC)
Sunday Oct 25:
Soccer vs Greensboro 2pm '
(Greensboro, NC)
I Tuesday Oct. 27:
Volleyball vs Peace 7pm
I (Pes^cb) ,
Jillian Curtis
Staff Writer
Ms. Talani Torres is one of the
most distinguished members of the
Meredith College dance program.
Because of her extensive experi
ence both performing and teaching
dance, Torres is able to provide
a large foundation of information
to her students, Torres has taught
several dance classes at Mer
edith including Dance In Society,
Capoeira, Jazz, Tap, Modern,
Movement for musical Theatre,
Improvisation II, Dance Repertory,
Music for Dance, Performing Arts
Administration, FYE, and Dance
Research.
Torres is currently in her fourth
year at Meredith College and is
truly grateful to be part of such a
unique community
“Coming from predominantly
large higher education settir\gs,
I've been struck by the kind of
individual support and attention
students are able to- receive here.
Even at the faculty level. I’m not
accustomed to the kind of support
and genuine care that the Meredith
Community offers,” commented
Torres.
Torres also stresses the impor
tance of physical fitness in dance.
Although some may doubt the true
athleticism required for dance,
Torres is a firm believer in the
two being interconnected. In her
classes she often makes students
due strength building exercises
in order to enhance their dance
performances. One of Torres’
favorite quotes IS'by Albert Einstein
that says “Dances are the athletes
of God’'
Before coming to Meredith,
Torres received, her BA in psychol
ogy from Florida International
University with a minor in dance.
She then went on to be the Artistic
Director of the Miami Children’s
Dance Ensemble from 1991-2004.
She co-owned The Dance Space
in Miami-for ten years, and then '
moved to North Carolina where
she earned her MFA in choreog
raphy from the University of North
Carolina, Greensboro. Since then,
Torres has taught a variety of
people howto dance, including all
ages from 3 through adulthood.
She has also taught students from
the 2nd to the 12th grade in public
and private schools. She taught
jazz at a residential rehabilitation
center for women recovering from
cocaine addiction. Because of her
eclectic experience, Torres has
been able to be a true mentor for
dance students at Meredith.
“Talani Torres is an amazing
dance professor. I have taken her
jazz 3 class, and 1 am currently in
her tap class. She is very encour
aging, energetic, and her'friendly
attitude is another added in bonus
to her wonderful teaching style,”
stated sophomore Laura Holder,