Work it Out: Students host Bounce and Burn during Queens Week

On Wednesday night, February 24, Miss Junior Talaya Johnson, a Level 2 Nursing Student from Baton Rouge, hosted a work out event called Bounce and Burn. It was held inside the Student Union’s Cotillion Ballroom, and per social distancing regulations, tickets were given out online while masks were required for students to enter and workout. Airee Renee, SU alumnae and Fabulous Dancing Dolls’ Captain of 2007 was the trainer for the night, as she is also the founder of Bounce and Burn Dance Cardio Sessions.
In a few weeks, it will be a year since she started Bounce and Burn. To be exact, it was the day of her birthday that she officially started the project. “Coronavirus made me start. People were stuck at home and not moving. Dancing was my main form of cardio and I thought it would be a fun way to get people moving and working out,” said Airee. Dancing acted as a form of therapy for her, while also helping her lose weight. Through her Instagram, she uses her platform as a Health Coach and Motivator, where she gives challenges to her audience, workouts, and weight loss tips daily.
Ms. Airee encouraged students to persevere through the workouts during the event. Luckily, students seemed to find as much enjoyment as she did while doing so. Miss Junior Talaya Johnson stated, “I wanted to do something different. I love bounce music and bringing out my inner ratchet. If you mix it with working out you will feel better.”
As the continued essence of strong women for Miss Southern and her Royal Court Queen’s Week, the Disney character Mulan was the face and theme of Bounce and Burn, focusing on her sense of dedication. Just like Mulan, the lady Jags had the determination to finish the workout session strong. “This session was very needed. I’m so glad I came out of my dorm”, said Kori Toliver, a sophomore Mass Communications major from New Orleans. Students were treated with post workout fresh fruit smoothies afterwards, courtesy of Aramark workers.