Take 10 with Christina Houghtelling and Amanda Gates

Recently, the Nebraska Volleyball team was honored in Washington, D.C. at a special ceremony recognizing several national champion teams across the nation.  The team spent the day in the nation's capital, touring historic landmarks and meeting some notable people, including President George W. Bush. Amanda Gates and Christina Houghtelling talk about their trip in this edition of Take 10.

1.  What was the best part of your trip to Washington, D.C.?

Amanda Gates: I know that June 18, 2007, is going to be one of those days that make the history books, not necessarily the country's, but for each and every 2006-07 National Champion.  We got to celebrate the remarkable feat of being the best at each of our niches and shining over every other team in the country this year. How often can one truly say they are number one out of the whole country? It was amazing, and that is just what we got to do – and what better person to do it with than the President of the United States, George W. Bush.

 

Christina Houghtelling: The best part was just getting to spend time with our team from 2006.  It was great to be together again and it was kind of a closure to the season. 

2.  What was the most fun thing you did on your trip?

AG: I enjoyed everything so much, I can't even narrow it down!

 

CH: Everything we did was amazing and we are very blessed to have had the opportunity to do that and see everything, so I cannot say that one thing was more fun than anything else.  Everything holds such a different place in history and even today, so they all were a lot of fun to see and be a part of for a day.

3.  What was the most interesting thing you saw on your trip?

AG: I enjoyed everything! I have been to D.C. before but going because you are a national champion made everything seem even more special. The people and monuments were great! I enjoyed learning about some of the behind-the-scenes activities in the places we visited.

 

CH: It was all so interesting in different ways.  I am not a huge history buff, but for some reason, this trip and what I saw was all a little more touching than I had expected.  Every place we visited was all new to me and I thought it was all interesting.

4.  Who was the most exciting person you met?

AG: All of them! They all had their impacting messages and characteristics that made their presence enjoyable.

 

CH: Justice Clarence Thomas.  He was down-to-earth, fun, wise, and one of the neatest people I have ever met in my life.  I cannot even start to explain the impression he placed on me and how neat of a person he is.

5.  What was the most meaningful thing you saw or did on your trip?

AG: This trip was definitely a once-in-a-lifetime experience that even though meant a lot now, I really believe down the road it will mean even more. I really anticipated this trip because when I was in the 8th grade, I went with classmates to D.C. and when I was at the HolocaustMuseum, I ran into a couple girls on the 2000 national championship team. They were in D.C. to meet the President. As a Nebraska girl, I went up to them and made sure they knew I was from Nebraska too and that I was from Laura Pilakowski's hometown, and that was one thing I never forgot. It was almost like a fairy tale to actually be the team going to meet the President this time. I can't even explain how much this trip meant to me individually, and how important it was for my teammates. How many people can say that they've shaken the President's hand, and on top of that, it was because they were National Champions?

 

CH: It was actually when we were listening to Justice Thomas speak.  It didn't hit me until I saw Dani Mancuso tear up when he said this, but he made a comment when he was talking that hit home and made me realize a lot about my life and what I want to do.  He loves his job and is very good at it, but he kept praising us for what we do and have accomplished.  He kept telling us that he would give up everything in a heartbeat to be doing what we do and to be the best in the country at something.  But the thing that got me the most was when he was talking about himself and his work, he said, "This is not a dream, this is a calling."  It gave me goose bumps and I have thought about that ever since.  You always need to have dreams and sometimes you may reach them, sometimes you won't, but just seeing the happiness and joy of him talking about his dream made me remember to do what I love and keep dreaming.