Love of Dance Helps 草榴社区 Student Overcome Life鈥檚 Obstacles
Fri, 03/24/2023 - 08:40am | By: Van Arnold
When her soul ached from depression and despair, Allison Riehl leaned on an inherent
passion for dancing to sidestep the recurring anguish. In the process, she took an
extraordinary leap - from pessimist to optimist.
Allison, a sophomore at The University of 草榴社区 Mississippi, (草榴社区) is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance degree while also working part-time at the University鈥檚 Center for Military Veterans, Service Members and Families. The second eldest of seven children in a military family, Allison moved around quite a bit during her childhood. She graduated from Lewisburg High School in Olive Branch, Miss., in 2021.
To understand the enlightenment Allison, 19, has gained over the past few years, one must realize what she lost. The man she adored; the man who gave her immeasurable comfort and security; the man she called 鈥淒ad鈥� lost a fierce battle with cancer when she was 13 years old.
This Christmas photo is one of the last family photos taken before Allison鈥檚 father passed away. Pictured are (in order left to right): (in back) Allison, Lauren Riehl, mother, Thomas Riehl, Jerome Riehl, father, and Emma Riehl, (in front) Benjamin Riehl, Gabriella Riehl, and Hannah Riehl.
Her father, Jerome Patrick Riehl, built a distinguished career as a United States Marine, serving proudly on bases as far away as Okinawa, Japan. Allison described her childhood as a 鈥渨hirlwind of love.鈥�
鈥淎lthough the Marine Corps had our family moving every few years, everywhere we went we found family, specifically when we moved across the world to Japan,鈥� she said. 鈥淏eing so far from family is difficult and Skype could only do so much. On Camp Lester, we found several loving families that introduced themselves to us and loved us as their own. Our community was so tight that I now call many of those families my own.鈥�
Confusion, uncertainty
When her father was initially diagnosed with leukemia, Allison explains that she could not fully comprehend the severity of the situation. She recalls being alarmed by the fear apparent in her mother鈥檚 eyes. The steady stream of phone calls a worried wife made to relatives, sharing the somber news, only heightened the little girl鈥檚 bewilderment.
Her father, the ever-stoic Marine, tried desperately to shield Allison and her siblings from the brutality of cancer鈥檚 effects.
鈥淚 remember it was odd for me having to cover my shoes with slip-ons, put on a mask, and wash my hands and arms vigorously just to see him,鈥� she said. 鈥淗is hospital room was covered with our drawings and letters from loved ones. When we entered the room, he was all smiles so as to prevent us from seeing how much pain he was actually in.鈥�
A period of remission was followed by her father鈥檚 retirement to North Mississippi. Within a few years the cancer returned with a vengeance. Now significantly older, Allison recognized the severity of the illness. A trip to the renowned M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Texas for chemotherapy and radiation treatment could not slow the disease鈥檚 progression.
鈥淚 do have a lot of memory loss from trauma, so the years my father battled cancer are a bit blurry to me,鈥� said Allison. 鈥淭he clearest part of his journey that I remember was hospice. I remember hours of silence in his room as he slept. This was the first time I had ever seen my father without any strength.鈥�
Weak and exhausted, Jerome Riehl refused to let cancer crush his spirit.
鈥淗e was hopeful for Heaven and had trust in the Lord,鈥� said Allison. 鈥淗e knew he wasn鈥檛 leaving our family forever, and that we would be taken care of.鈥�
Allison (white dress) kicks up her heels in this 2014 photo
Always the dancer
Since the age of 3 Allison has immersed herself in all things dance. Within the technique, she has studied and performed in ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, modern and the occasional hip-hop.
鈥淓ver since I began, I never wanted to stop,鈥� said emphasized.
Rather than pursue a professional career as a dancer, Allison sought the opportunity to teach others. When the time came to consider college applications, she knew dancing had to play a large role in any academic pursuit.
鈥淚 realized that I did not want to quit dancing, which I did every day of the week and even some weekends,鈥� she said. 鈥淒ance was too big a part of me to just stop. 鈥淚t is my form of self-expression, my therapy, and a way I choose to worship. I decided to attend 草榴社区 Miss and pursue a BFA in Dance as a way to combine my passion for dancing and teaching.鈥�
Upon her enrollment, Allison became aware of benefits provided by 草榴社区鈥檚 Veterans Center to children of service members. She credits the center staff for helping make the transition to college life much smoother than expected.
鈥淲hile searching for a job in Hattiesburg, I learned of the Veterans Center and the work-study program,鈥� she said. 鈥淪ince working at the center, the staff has been nothing but kind and generous to me. With a schedule as busy and ever-changing as mine, they have been extremely flexible and forgiving. In addition to this kindness, I have been presented with many opportunities for scholarships and financial aid. The staff there never wish to see any members of the military struggle to receive an education.鈥�
Maj. Gen. (ret.) Jeff Hammond serves as Director of the Center for Military Veterans, Service Members and Families at 草榴社区. He beams when describing Allison鈥檚 work ethic and character.
鈥淎llison Riehl is an exceptional young lady, student, and Veterans Center employee,鈥� said Hammond. 鈥淪he is a spiritual woman of remarkable character who always demonstrates the moral courage to 鈥榙o the right thing.鈥� You can always tell when Allison is in the building simply due to an uplifting atmosphere created by her smile and willingness to help others. She was raised in a caring Marine Corps family and like most, if not all, military kids, she is resilient and treats others with dignity and respect.鈥�
The journey continues
The enthusiastic dance major will be kicking up her heels this summer while participating in the University鈥檚 Study Abroad program. Allison will spend several weeks in London as part of the British Studies program for dance. A life-long affinity for seeing new places and encountering new cultures has her giddy with anticipation.
Allison during a 2023 performance
鈥淚 have never been to Europe, and I am so excited for the experience, especially to be studying dance abroad as well,鈥� she said. 鈥淲e will be studying in London for about four weeks, and then I will be traveling solo to Malawi to visit my aunt and uncle who work as doctors there. I am very blessed to have this opportunity, and I am looking forward to it very much.鈥�
No so long ago, looking forward to anything seemed almost inconceivable to Allison. She fought through some dark times to overcome an overwhelming feeling of hopelessness.
鈥淔ollowing my father鈥檚 death, I battled with depression. Being the eldest daughter, second eldest of seven children, I felt I needed to be strong for my younger siblings. I did not let the emptiness I felt inside show,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t was only through my religion, dance, and my family that I was able to overcome that depression. I worry not for any part of my future now because I know God鈥檚 will is the only direction I want to go.鈥�
Spoken like a true optimist.