James Madison University - Bluestone Schoolmaam Yearbook (Harrisonburg, VA)

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Conditioning their upper bodies, students line up on the UREC turf to do push- ups while others do sprints. With sunny skies and warm temperatures for April, the event offered an enjoyable glimpse of spring. hoto- ' kimlofgren sported during her disco dancing exercise. I liked the dancing classes the best, said sophomore Sameera Navidi, whose friend, sophomore Ariel Vital, agreed. My favorite part was the disco portion, said Vital. Vital and Navidi weren ' t the only ones who took the class with a friend. Many participants found out about Fit JMU through word of mouth, particularly roommates and friends. Twitter and Facebook also helped market Fit JMU in August, when UREC held its second giant group fitness class. The class moved inside UREC due to rainy weather, but that didn ' t put a damper on the turnout. We doubled in participation numbers, so I think people are starting to look for it, said Wade. Either way, it was a blast. bythe mbers Throwing a left jab, sophomores Ariel Vital, right, and Sameera Navidi, middle, work their upper bodies. Kickboxing incorporated an intense, full-body workout. photo kimlofgren features 27

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Tiijmu SURVIVAL FITTEST 1 CARDIO CRAZE A fantastic, heart-pumping workout offered the option of high- or low-impact moves. WORLD BEAT A fun dance with moves inspired from all over the world; Belly Dance, Latin, Salsa, African, Irish, Caribbean and more! KUKAWA A workout that blended African, Latin and Caribbean dance moves. ATHLETIC CONDITIONING A strength and cardio workout that got students ' hearts pumping. KICKBOXING A high-energy workout based on kickboxing moves and drills. Participants learned to punch and kick with the best. HIP-HOP Students danced in an energetic workout. BOOGIE FEVER Participants grooved like back in the disco days. UREC OFFERED ITS FIRST OUTDOOR GROUP FITNESS CL7 SS mandysmoot writer £ ■ t was a beautiful day and a great change I to exercise outside, said sophomore Elise I Shellenberger, one of the 47 participants who took part in Fit JMU, the University Recreation Center ' s (UREC) newest group fitness class. Warm spring weather permitted students and faculty to scope out a spot on the UREC turf in April, where group fitness instructors took turns teaching the 90-minute class. The sampler reached out to individuals of all interests. Students and faculty had the opportunity to participate in various classes, including cardio craze, world beat, kukawa, athletic conditioning, kickboxing, hip hop, boogie fever and yoga. The participants weren ' t the only ones who enjoyed the wide variety of fitness classes. Graduate Kellie Hayes, a group fitness instructor, had just as much fun teaching. It was great to have the chance to interact with participants and watch the other seniors teach for one of the last times before we graduate, said Hayes. Hayes even felt that Fit IMU had the potential to become a university tradition. We had a great crowd that was very energetic and seemed like they were enjoying themselves. I love to teach when there are large groups because the energy is always high, said graduate Jen Everdale, also a group fitness instructor. 1 think it is a great way to introduce our participants to new class formats and get them excited about taking other classes, she added. Fit JMU also seemed to be a hit among students. 1 definitely think UREC should do this annually, said Shellenberger. 1 think we have something to shoot for now, said Holly Wade, coordinator of group fitness and wellness. We ' ve established a baseline and can build from that. Wade, who had been with UREC since 2006, trained the group fitness instructors and oversaw the fitness classes. She had previously taught numerous classes herself, including boogie fever. Wade enjoyed the event just as much as the participants, evident by her gold, sparkling shirt she While other students perform crunches, a fitness instructor keeps her heart rate elevated by running in place. Aerobics were incorporated in classes such as athletic conditioning and cardio craze. % . 4-tW 1-5 YOGA This class combined yoga postures and modern fitness for a mind body workout that increased strength, endurance and flexibility. r 26 thebluestone20 K.

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maygraduation Waiting to receive his diploma, a student snaps a picture to capture the special moment. Students heard speeches from President Linwood H. Rose. SGA president Larson Thune. student speaker Amrou Kotb, and commencement speaker Paul Holland. photo lizzycannon Family and friends gather at Bridgeforth Stadium to celebrate students ' accomplishments. Graduation day flooded Harrisonburg with an influx of visitors. keeping hotels and restaurants busy. photo ' lizzycannon Holding flowers close, family members wait to congratulate their graduates. The university did not require tickets, allowing multiple family members to attend the ceremonies. photo lizzycannon Creatively expressing her gratitude, graduate Briana Marcantoni ' s graduation cap reflects her appreciation for her parents ' support over the past four years. Decorative caps were seen all over campus on graduation day. photo lizzycannon future GRADUATES REFLECTED ON THE PAST WHILE LOOKING TOWARD THE FUTURE sarapryor writer Dark clouds hung over Bridgeforth Stadium, but even the threat of rain could not dampen the spirit of graduation day. Packs of graduates donned purple gowns and strolled down Port Republic Road, trying to avoid the long line of cars headed toward campus. Waiting outside the stadium, graduates felt a mix of emotions. It is a weird feeling, said graduate Ashley Lowry. I ' m really excited to graduate with all my friends, but sad and a little scared all at the same time. It is definitely bittersweet. Graduate Bo Snead agreed. Today is insanely surreal. You always know this day is approaching. It ' s what we work hard for, and something we all want, but you never expect it to sneak up on you so fast. As the graduates filed in, audience members waved brightly colored umbrellas and ponchos in order to catch the graduates ' attention. President Linwood H. Rose started the ceremony. You are the first graduates of Madison ' s second century, said Rose. You join a world full of challenges, and certainly not a very friendly job market. You entered this university as the most academically accomplished class in our history, and you leave with the knowledge and skills to address the opportunities that will come your way. Student Government Association President Larson Thune was next on the podium. Over the past four years, JMU has been more than a home to us, said Thune. It has been a community of people who have helped us enrich our minds as well as our character. Thune then introduced the student speaker, graduate Amrou Kotb, who centered his speech on a metaphor about time at the university being just one piece of art in the graduates ' lives. We sit here today in Bridgeforth Stadium awaiting the presentation of our final drafts ot our works of art, said Kotb, each one unique and each one reflecting upon the originality of its artist. The commencement speaker, Paul Holland, a 1982 graduate and entrepreneur with a passion for green technology, began his address with a memory of his first visit to the university. I have two memories that stand out, he said. Number one: I had never seen so many pretty girls in one place in my life. Number two: It seemed like they were all wearing a bikini. After four years of studying political science and business, Holland and the class of 1982 faced the worst job market since World War II. He offered the following advice to graduates: 28 thebluestone201