Temple University - Templar Yearbook (Philadelphia, PA)

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“People should definitely go. It is a great way to be active and be fit,” said Nicholas Palomba, a freshman who recently tried cycling for the first time. Classes typically span Monday through Sunday with times varying on the specific day and event of one’s choosing. by Sean Mac Donald photography by Campus Recreation WTicthcr it’s an hour of early morning cycling, a passion for the rhythms in Zumba, or a late night session of Hip-Hop dancing with friends— Temple University has it all. Located at the IBC Recreation Center, interested students can choose from many different types of group fitness activities. Temple offers indoor cycling, yoga, pilates, strength training, Zumba, Hip-Hop, and more. TEMPLE MIXES FITNESS WITH PLENTY OF FUN “COME JOIN, YOU ARE GOING TO FALL IN LOVE WITH IT.” The experience is shared by everyone in the room. Whether someone going to a class is very experienced, or just starting out, the fitness programs are all inclusive. However, many students believe grabbing a friend to join the program makes it even better. “ft was more fun to do it with friends. They understand the fact that you are struggling, they are also struggling. It definitely was more motivating Allison Silibovsky 12

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show the audience her style of drag by performing a song of her choice. After all the queens got a chance to perform, a winner was finally crowned at the end of the night. Marcha Pisces, a drag performer and LGBT rights activist in Philadelphia, walked away as the first place winner of the show. Her touching performance of Beyonce's I Was Here accompanied by a slideshow of fellow black queens and LGBT members who have passed moved the audience to their cores. Serena Starr, otherwise known as Cory Wade, hosted the event. She was the third runner-up on Cycle 20 of America's Next Top Model and the show's first openly gay contestant. Starr previously hosted Temple’s first ever Drag Show in 2012, prior to competing on the TV show. Aside from performances by the queens, the event was filled with performances by Temple's own D2D and the Xcel Dance Crew, who gave everyone a lesson in voguing. The event stressed the importance of love without limits and the range of identities included in the LGBTQIA+ community. Diamante D-Mo Ortiz, a diversity peer with IDEAL, said The importance of this event is to make sure that there are students who are given the opportunity to have a voice and the platform to really advocate for themselves. The purpose of National Coming Out Week at Temple is to bring awareness to National Coming Out Day itself, but the week-long celebration was first introduced by colleagues Nu'Rodney Prad and Andrew Dies in the fall of 2009. Usually what we see on social media, these issues pertaining to transphobia, homophobia, gender, and sexuality become a lot, Ortiz said, But letting go and seeing the beauty of it in the LGBTQIA+ community is the most beautiful thing. The host of the evening also made it a point to educate the audience on the difference between gender-inclusive language. You can call me he and I will respond, but you can also call me she and I will respond, Starr said. The show was a great way to prove to students on campus that it's okay to be yourself. The positive message touched everyone in the audience and participants in the show. Just seeing all the comradery and how so many beautiful people were gathered for a common cause to celebrate authenticity and love,” said Starr. I had a blast. 11

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Students have 60 sessions of group fitness per week at their disposal. Temple students can join as many sessions as they want, at no cost. This flexibility allows students to put their foot in the door of a variety of fitness interests. Along with the willingness of newcomers, experienced fitness group go-ers are dedicated. Mackenzie Murray has made her previous passion at Temple University into a job. Murray is a Hip-Hop dance class instructor going on her third year of teaching. “I used to always come to these classes. That’s anyone who works here, they are the people who came to the classes and loved it so much and they wanted to be hired to do it all the time.” Mackenzie Murray The Temple University alumnus believes a lot of people find their niches in fitness classes by just giving their interests a chance. She thinks Temple’s group fitness is a tool for a student to work towards their fitness goals, hut also to create lasting friendships and passions. “Definitely do it,” Murray said. “Come join, you are going to fall in love with it.” 13