Issue link: http://catalog.e-digitaleditions.com/i/579145
101 T he University of Iowa volleyball program's trip to Hawaii was filled with more than luaus, volleyball, and a trip Pearl Harbor. e Hawkeyes also took time to immerse themselves into the Honolulu community. "As we were putting together our time in Hawaii, we thought it would be a neat opportunity to reach out into the community and give back," said UI associate head coach Michaela Franklin. "e hospitality we received when we were there was amazing, so we wanted to do something to give back to them." e Hawkeyes found that opportunity with the Variety School of Hawaii, a school devoted to providing innovative programs for children with learning disabilities. "We educate kids ages five-years-old to 22," said Jolene Chongchua, the Variety School program director. "We have kids with high-functioning autism, attention deficit disorders, and other types of learning differences such as dyslexia and speech delay." Upon walking into the school, the Hawkeyes were greeted by 30 students and educators. Aer a few introductions by UI head coach Bond Shymansky, the team showed off its volleyball skills and then invited the students to give the sport a try. "Everybody had smiles on their faces right when we walked in the door," said sophomore Taylr McNeil. "ey were nervous at first to start playing volleyball, but as we started going, they all were excited to be with us." e Hawkeyes spent an hour teaching students basic volleyball skills, and Chongchua was overjoyed with the way the students responded. "We have kids who are sensitive to sound and it was really loud in here, but I watched them close their ears and force themselves to tolerate it just so they could participate and play," said Chongchua. "is is amazing. e social aspect of it showed a completely different side of our kids." e day was mutually beneficial and the Hawkeyes won't soon forget the experience. "I know it made all of us happy," said junior Loxley Keala, a native of Kaneohe, Hawaii. "Having Division I student-athletes come and play with them isn't something they are used to. It was probably the best part of their day, and I know it was definitely a day for our team to remember." For Keala and the Hawkeyes, the day was all about sharing the sport they love and paying it forward. "Very few teams that come out to play Hawaii do this," said Keala. "We wanted to give back to the volleyball community, because it has given so much to every one of us." "Volleyball is popular in Hawaii," Franklin added. "You could tell the students enjoyed it. Just seeing the way they looked up to our girls brought a smile to my face." e Hawkeyes (10-5) travel to Ohio State on Oct. 2 and Penn State on Oct. 3 before returning to Carver-Hawkeye Arena for a pair of home matches against Michigan (Oct. 7) and Michigan State (Oct. 10). OCTOBER SCHEDULE: Oct. 2 at Ohio State Oct. 3 at Penn State Oct. 7 Michigan Oct. 10 Michigan State Oct. 16 at Illinois Oct. 18 at Northwestern Oct. 23 Wisconsin Oct. 24 Minnesota Oct. 30 Maryland Oct. 31 Rutgers