Like many athletes, Cameryn Kok knew she wanted to continue her athletic career in college. Cameryn is a Senior involved with Arizona State University’s dance club called “Dancing Devils”. She discussed how and why she chose ASU and how her coaches and teammates have impacted her athletically and academically.
Kok danced started to dance when she was just three years old and started to get more serious at the age of ten. She then began to compete for studio dance in Cave Creek, Arizona where she is originally from. When going into high school, she made a choice between continuing studio dance and joining her school’s dance or pom team. She decided to continue her studio dancing journey because she felt as that she was getting more training and was already invested in her studio.
Being a senior in high school, Kok then faced a very similar crossroads. She knew she wanted to continue dance but was unsure if she wanted it to be her lively hood.“I knew wherever I went to college in Arizona I wanted dance to be a part of my life. But I knew if I wanted to balance school, work, and join other organizations I needed to take it down a notch.” Kok said in a recent interview. After choosing to major in Communications with a minor in special event management, Kok found a way to better her education and her dancing.
Dancing Devils was the perfect way for Kok to incorporate both of her passions into her college experience. “As a team, we all go to the library together, and we would all have study sessions over the weekend because school is first,” Kok stated when asked about the balance of education and dance. Kok expressed the importance of teammates prioritizing school and how the dancers aid in each other’s success, on and off the stage.
Being a part of the team also allowed Kok to improve as an athlete. The dancers practice technique everyday which Kok felt has strengthened her endurance and allows her to perform to the best of her ability. Dancing Devils also gave Kok opportunities to travel. Her team competed in nationals and Kok says it is one of her favorite memories from being on the team.
With graduation coming up fast, and her college dance career coming to a close, Kok is once again faced with two options. “I want to make an effort to make dance a part of my life in some way,” Kok stated after being asked about her plans after college. She plans on having a career involving corporate sales while dancing in any way she can.
Kok knows how to leap or how to turn without getting dizzy because of her dance experiences, but they taught her habits she will use in her daily life. Kok stated that from being a dancer, she learned time management which is important in any career but especially in a cooperate position.
As the soon-to-be college graduate dances into the next part of her life, she will forever be a Dancing Devil.
Written by Shea Garrett
Beyond Arizona State Athletics 