Love of Dance Helps USM Student Overcome Life91吃瓜网 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 91吃瓜网, (USM) is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance degree while also working part-time at the University91吃瓜网 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 91吃瓜网淒ad91吃瓜网� lost a fierce battle with cancer when she was 13 years old.
This Christmas photo is one of the last family photos taken before Allison91吃瓜网 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 91吃瓜网渨hirlwind of love.91吃瓜网�
91吃瓜网淎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,91吃瓜网� she said. 91吃瓜网淏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.91吃瓜网�
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 mother91吃瓜网 eyes. The steady stream of phone calls a worried wife made to relatives, sharing the somber news, only heightened the little girl91吃瓜网 bewilderment.
Her father, the ever-stoic Marine, tried desperately to shield Allison and her siblings from the brutality of cancer91吃瓜网 effects.
91吃瓜网淚 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,91吃瓜网� she said. 91吃瓜网淗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.91吃瓜网�
A period of remission was followed by her father91吃瓜网 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 disease91吃瓜网 progression.
91吃瓜网淚 do have a lot of memory loss from trauma, so the years my father battled cancer are a bit blurry to me,91吃瓜网� said Allison. 91吃瓜网淭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.91吃瓜网�
Weak and exhausted, Jerome Riehl refused to let cancer crush his spirit.
91吃瓜网淗e was hopeful for Heaven and had trust in the Lord,91吃瓜网� said Allison. 91吃瓜网淗e knew he wasn91吃瓜网檛 leaving our family forever, and that we would be taken care of.91吃瓜网�
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.
91吃瓜网淓ver since I began, I never wanted to stop,91吃瓜网� 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.
91吃瓜网淚 realized that I did not want to quit dancing, which I did every day of the week and even some weekends,91吃瓜网� she said. 91吃瓜网淒ance was too big a part of me to just stop. 91吃瓜网淚t is my form of self-expression, my therapy, and a way I choose to worship. I decided to attend 91吃瓜网 and pursue a BFA in Dance as a way to combine my passion for dancing and teaching.91吃瓜网�
Upon her enrollment, Allison became aware of benefits provided by USM91吃瓜网 Veterans Center to children of service members. She credits the center staff for helping make the transition to college life much smoother than expected.
91吃瓜网淲hile searching for a job in Hattiesburg, I learned of the Veterans Center and the work-study program,91吃瓜网� she said. 91吃瓜网淪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.91吃瓜网�
Maj. Gen. (ret.) Jeff Hammond serves as Director of the Center for Military Veterans, Service Members and Families at USM. He beams when describing Allison91吃瓜网 work ethic and character.
91吃瓜网淎llison Riehl is an exceptional young lady, student, and Veterans Center employee,91吃瓜网� said Hammond. 91吃瓜网淪he is a spiritual woman of remarkable character who always demonstrates the moral courage to 91吃瓜网榙o the right thing.91吃瓜网� 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.91吃瓜网�
The journey continues
The enthusiastic dance major will be kicking up her heels this summer while participating in the University91吃瓜网 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
91吃瓜网淚 have never been to Europe, and I am so excited for the experience, especially to be studying dance abroad as well,91吃瓜网� she said. 91吃瓜网淲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.91吃瓜网�
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.
91吃瓜网淔ollowing my father91吃瓜网 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,91吃瓜网� she said. 91吃瓜网淚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 God91吃瓜网 will is the only direction I want to go.91吃瓜网�
Spoken like a true optimist.