THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, January 20, 1995 TAG: 9501200069
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E13 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: GROOVY SAPIEN
SOURCE: BY HOLLY WESTER, CAMPUS CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: Medium: 92 lines
EIGHTEEN-YEAR-OLD Kenya Hunt of Chesapeake has worn out quite a few pairs of dancing shoes in her 15-year career.
Now years of practice and studio hopping are paying off for Kenya, a freshman at the University of Virginia. Not only has she choreographed a high school musical, ``Once Upon A Mattress,'' she is working on performances for her college dance troupe, Mahogany.
Since she got involved with this troupe of African-American women, Kenya has experimented with new dance styles, such as modern and jazz. She has developed an interest in musical theater as well.
Mahogany, which has been featured at culture festivals, dance recitals and around campus, will perform some of Kenya's routines this semester. Her current choreography project is a character dance to a Miles Davis piece titled ``Freddie the Freeloader.''
Full name: Kenya Nicole Hunt
Birthdate: Aug. 17, 1976
Birthplace: Wurzburg, Germany
Occupation: Student (during the school year) and camp counselor at YMCA (in the summer)
Siblings: One sister, April, 13
Education: 1994 graduate of Indian River High School, now freshman at the University of Virginia
What is your idea of a perfect day off: Having nothing to do with a good book to read
Last smart thing you did: Studied hard and it paid off
Last dumb thing you did: I tried to fix a vacuum cleaner and started fidgeting with a bunch of switches. I flicked the wrong switch and all of the dirt inside the vacuum came out.
Favorite meal: Fried shrimp or any kind of seafood
Favorite movies: ``West Side Story,'' ``Sweet Charity,'' ``Anchors Aweigh,'' ``School Daze''
Favorite song: ``Creep'' by TLC
Favorite singer/band: Sade and Anita Baker
Last book read: I read a lot of books for school, but not for leisure. The last book I read for fun was ``Waiting to Exhale'' by Terry McMillan
Hobbies: Dancing, playing tennis, reading
Best date you've been on: To the movies (not so much where I went but who I went with)
Worst date you've been on: We were supposed to go bowling (ugh), but the bowling alley was too crowded so we just drove around.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?: My vision. I've worn glasses since I was 6 years old, practically my whole life. I would love to have 20/20 vision.
If you could change one thing about your parents, what would it be?: Their minds. They won't let me have a car.
Secret vice: I have an addiction to candy. I eat it every day.
Favorite restaurant: Any good seafood restaurant
Favorite place to shop: The Gap and The Limited
Your favorite night out on the town: Flying to New York City to see a Broadway show
Favorite TV shows: ``The Real World,'' ``Living Single,'' and ``Roseanne''
Last vacation: A weekend in Washington, D.C.
Best job: Camp counselor at the YMCA
What achievements are you most proud of?: Getting a first place in the regional forensics meet and competing at the state level in high school. Choreographing the drama production ``Once Upon a Mattress'' my senior year and receiving an award for best choreographer. Receiving a citizenship award at graduation and academic scholarships for college.
What would you like to be in 10 years?: An advertising executive
If you could change one thing in America, what would it be and why?: It's hard to pick just one; there are so many problems in our country. I guess the main thing I would change is racism. It affects so many people. It's a problem our country has struggled with for too long.
Heroes and role models: Parents, Maya Angelou, Debbie Allen, Judith Jamison
Your most unique trait: I smile when I'm under pressure.
Best subject: English
Worst subject: Physics
What makes you mad: When I fall short of making an A or when people look down on others for doing well in school and having their priorities straight.
If a movie were filmed about your life what would be the dramatic turning point: When I got my scholarship to U.Va. It enabled me to go away to school. Without it, I'd be at home going to school here. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
RICHARD L. DUNSTON/Staff
Chesapeake's Kenya Hunt, a freshman at UVa. performs with the
college's dance troupe, Mahogany.
by CNB