Florida State University - Renegade / Tally Ho Yearbook (Tallahassee, FL)

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A j -Jennifer Johnson Soccer balls whaling at speeds of 65 miles per hour, obstacles of rushing water, fish nets, and a few injuries didn ' t get in the way of 23 year old Donna Dawson. Dawson participated in MTV ' s Sandblast the summer of 1995 and won the overall competition with help from partner Alan Conley. Conley was a friend of Dawson ' s from Daytona. She knew that this competition was something they would enjoy doing and that Conley was in good shape. It wasn ' t a big deal, I called up Alan and neither of us had to work, so we went to Orlando for a weekend to try out. Since I ' m a lifeguard and he surfs we ere in pretty good condition, so there was no real preparation, we had no idea how it was going to be, said Dawson. To Dawson ' s surprise, it was tougher than she thought. It looked really easy on TV, but a lot of people got hurt, said Dawson. Out of 64 participants, 22 eople were injured, including Donna. In the event Death Penalty Kick, where the opposing team aimed soccer balls at the players, Donna was nailed in the head. The all hit her helmet, leaving her with a gash which required nine stitches in her chin. She also received second and third degree burns on her hands from another event. Dawson participated in numerous events. One of the hardest was the Cannon Bowl. The event wasn ' t as easy as it looked. It was hard mentally preparing d jump off a platform into huge towering bowling pins floating in a pool of water below you and trying to knock them all down, said Dawson. The hardest part of he whole tournament was hurrying up to get ready for the next event. Even though some events were harder than others, Dawson did not let injuries or losses like that of the Death Penalty Kick, shake her confidence. She started ff the game with a strong lead in the first event. Skills from lifeguarding were a definite plus. The event began with climbing a wall of rushing water, then leaping nto a pool and swimming through a fish net trying to untangle herself quicker than her opponent. Dawson left Conley with such a strong lead, they were a sure thing. Throughout the events Donna was not alone. She carried with her a good luck charm, Flounder from The Little Mermaid. The stuffed animal was in as lany events he could possibly be in and also made a few television appearances. When I travel, he always comes with me. He ' s been with me for almost two and half years, so he means a lot to me, said Dawson about the fish. In the end Dawson stole the spotlight. With the opposing team not far behind, Dawson glided across a pulley strung from the top of a tower to a location on he beach. Her beautiful dismount into the water gave her a lead which put Dawson and Conley out in front for good. Whether it was the good luck charm or pure skill, Dawson and Conley walked away as the grand champions. They left with $10,000, a couple pairs of shoes .nd some clothes. Conley went to Costa Rica on a surfing trip and Dawson paid off bills and saved the rest. There really isn ' t another activity like this offered. It was a lot of fun and was good preparation for American Gladiators, the next event I want to try, said )awson. photo courtesy of Donna Dawson photo courtesy of Donna Dawson photo courtesy ot Donna Dawson Sand Blast 9

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photo courtesy of Donna Dawson photo courtesy of Donna Dawson photo courtesy of Donna Dawson this page, (top left) Donna Dawson receives a hug of encouragement from the host of Sandblast, Peter King. The hug worked. Donna and her partner Alan won the whole contest, (top right) Donna makes a attempt at the Human Cannobowl. While she participated in this event she received second and third degree burns to her hands, (bottom left)Donna and Alan truing to dunk it in for points during the Sandslam event, (center) Donna climbs a wall during the Crash Course. Donna was well ahead of her competitor throughout the course, (bottom center) Donna and her goodluck charm, flounder. The fish from the The Little Mermaid, participated in many events, (bottom right) Alan (helmet on). Donna ' s partner, celebrated after their victory in the finals, opposite page, (left) Donna hangs out with a friend behind the scenes. Many of the people who participated made friendships that lasted past the taping of the show. (center) The final score showing Donna and Alan the winners of Sandblast. The prize for winning the show was $10,000. (right) Donna And Alan, celebrating Hawaiian style after many weeks of grueling events. The whole season of Sandblast was taped in six weeks. 8 Student Life

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ifiecky Barnes, dances the night away on her twenty-first birthday . Reaching the iegai drinking age is a milestone in many coitege student ' s lives. photo by Eric Joh After a few pitchers this students test his agility at Pool. Poor Paul ' s is a typical stop for a waltz. I$rian Lucyk jumps out of the Westcott fountain with a smile. His friends surprised him with a dunk on the way to Potbelly s. 10 Student Life