Oct. 22, 2017
Kelsey Abrahamsen is a freshman from Seattle, Washington, double majoring in sociology and Human & Organizational Development. Here are her answers to some rapid-fire questions.
Age I began to bowl: I was five-years-old
Who got me started with bowling: I went to a bowling birthday party when I was five and then proceeded to spend the next summer begging my mom to take me back. We went so often that eventually the director and head coach of the youth league told us that we should join the Saturday Morning Youth League. While my parents didn’t necessarily get me into bowling, they have done everything in their power to allow me to pursue my passion for it.
When I was a kid I tried to be like: I was always trying to be like my older brother. Everything that he did, I wanted to do too. Everywhere he went, he had me as his shadow. I dressed like him (even wore his clothes), talked like him, wanted to bowl and play soccer like him. Growing up, he was my idol in every way, shape, and form.
Favorite musical performer: Band: Panic! at the Disco
Favorite movie: Hands down its Finding Nemo and Finding Dory, but Harry Potter and The Pirates of the Caribbean are definitely consistent contenders
Nobody can believe I watch this TV show: Gossip Girl (My Guilty Pleasure)
Favorite midnight snack: Toasted cheese bagel with butter and chocolate milk (Yay carbs!)
The best tasting food I can make: Mediterranean Meatloaf, Greek Salad, and mashed potatoes
Favorite sport other than bowling: Baseball or women’s gymnastics
Favorite athlete to watch in another sport: Simone Biles (Gymnastics)
Talent I’d most like to have: Ability to dance in various styles
Favorite things to do away from bowling: Sleep, watch Netflix, eat delicious food, play/snuggle With my dog
Favorite aspect of Nashville: All of the different types of food as well as the big city feel
What I would do if I won the lottery: Buy a house with land for horses, lots of dogs, and room to build a bowling alley. Additionally, donate money to various organizations that I find powerful and effective.
Ultimate vacation destination: Either Scandinavia or Australia The person(s) I admire most: My parents, a few of my past teachers, anyone who is battling internal demons and still managing to make it through each day while brightening the lives of others.
Career goal outside of bowling: Create a non-profit organization that provides the tools, resources, and funds to help underprivileged/marginalized youth to use bowling as a stepping stone to get to college.
The best advice I’ve received (and who from): In complete frustration after not being able to learn how to unicycle, I said “I just can’t do it. I can’t unicycle!” My elementary school PE teacher, Joanie Mass, came over to me and said, “You can’t unicycle, yet.” She continued to explain after seeing my confused nine-year-old self’s face, “Don’t say that you can’t do something so matter-of-factly. You don’t know what you’re capable if you just put your mind to the task at hand. By simply adding the word “yet” the then end of your statement, you don’t automatically put a huge barrier in your own way! You can’t unicycle, yet!”
This advice (along with the quote from Finding Nemo, “Just keep swimming.”) has helped me to keep a level head when the task at hand becomes overbearing or seems virtually impossible. The only limits that exist are the ones you impose on yourself.
Three things on my bucket list are: Positively impact the lives of underprivileged kids; travel to at least 20 countries; learn how to cook at least seven different dishes from various cultures from around the world
My hometown is famous for: Rain, The Space Needle, Coffee
Biggest influence in my life: Inspiring adults from various sectors of my life
Most important thing I’ve learned since coming to Vanderbilt: “There is literally nothing in nature that blooms all year long, so don’t expect yourself to do so either” – Sydney Silberman
My advice to young people is: Push yourself and look at the world as an opportunity to better yourself and others. Everything that you encounter can be used as a learning experience, and sometimes you make the same mistakes repeatedly, but that doesn’t mean you can’t overcome the challenge that lies in front of you. You are the one who dictates whether you get back up after you’ve been pushed down. It doesn’t matter how long it takes you to get back up, what’s important is that you do get back up.
Why did you choose Vanderbilt: I knew I wanted to bowl in college and I really enjoy learning. Vanderbilt has the ability to offer the best education while also providing one of the most elite bowling programs in the country. After I visited in my senior year, I couldn’t see myself anywhere else.
Other interesting facts about yourself: I can ride both a regular sized unicycle as well as the super tall unicycles called Giraffes and my dog was a street dog in Taiwan before we adopted him.
