"On The Move" With Brandon Onopa
11/6/2013 12:09:00 PM | Recreation
Brandon Onopa is a senior IDEAS major from Long Lake, Minnesota and has been "On the Move" since his arrival 4 years ago. Whether he is riding for the cycling club, or traveling to a foreign county for study abroad, Brandon has made quite an impact in our programs. We asked him to share his experiences with us.
You have been an active participant in our programs throughout your undergraduate years at Lehigh. Can you share what you have been involved in?
I have mainly been involved with the cycling club in both the fall and spring semesters. Triathlons (swim, bike, run) are a passion for mine, as well, so I do swim and run on my own to keep up fitness in these areas.
Within the cycling club, I have had the opportunities to travel to Vermont for a mountain bike race weekend, race along the river in Philadelphia in the springtime, and get to know many other cyclists from across the neighboring states within the Eastern Collegiate Cycling Conference. In addition to racing, we have assisted with being lead riders in the Runner's World running race weekend. In the spring semester, the cycling team works with the fitness center and leads spin classes throughout the week. I really enjoyed this role as teacher, further interacting the student body.
What other Campus activities or organizations are you currently or have been involved with?
My other biggest campus involvement wrapped up at the end of last semester: the Lehigh/Bethlehem Harmony Pavilion along the South Side greenway path. For over a year I was involved with a team that worked to build this structure, which I totally recommend everyone go and see.
Do you find it difficult being so involved?
I really don't find it too difficult. Managing priorities has usually been a bit of a strong suit for me, and I have found that I function best when kept busy and challenged with plenty of work.
Is it hard to keep up with your classes and grades, or do you feel that you balance them well?
After taking very full schedules since the second semester of freshman year, I have learned how to effectively balance all the demands of the MAJOR reason I am at this great University.
How has participating in our Campus Athletics programs helped to enrich your college experience? How has our programs helped you to make connections and friendships with people that you otherwise probably would have never met?
Campus Athletics has connected me with others who share the same hobbies and passions that I do; an invaluable part of any college experience. Without the friends I have made from the cycling team, I doubt that Lehigh would be as enjoyable of an experience for me personally. Providing a means to carry on with these hobbies through financial and planning support is where Campus Athletics can't be beat. I recommend everyone get involved and make the most of this great part of Lehigh's student life.
What inspired you to become so involved?
Being involved with my passions has always been part of who I am. Another inspiration came from the mentoring relationship with older students when I was new here at Lehigh. Looking back, trying to be as involved with the team and in classes has been the best thing I have done in my time here; it really has fulfilled all my hopes for a college experience.
Do you think you've grown as a leader? Do you feel more confident in general?
I do think that I have grown as a leader. The opportunities to arrange events, races, and teach spin classes have all attributed to this growth. This growth has increased my confidence in leadership and also in general.
How do you think you will be able to apply these leadership skills in other areas such as the workplace and in everyday life?
I think that the lessons I have learned about leadership will give me confidence to extend my leadership experience into the workplace-- never settling in any endeavor. Whether in teams at my workplace in everyday life, the confidence I have gained from the learning experiences at Lehigh will be positive reinforcement to be the best person I can be.
What are your future plans?
I have recently accepted an offer to work in New York City starting next July. I plan to take advantage of every opportunity while also enjoying a change of scenery (moving from Minnesota to the Big Apple). It sounds like travel will be a definite possibility, so I hope to return to China for a time to further advance my language and leadership skills. Not to be forgotten, however, I plan on joining a cycling team in the city to keep up my fitness and have a group to ride with.
