Jiggy Yoon: A Story of Struggle, passion, and Motivation
Jiggy Yoon is a former Penn State student who currently works for Sam Richard's Sociology 119 class in pursuit of becoming a motivational speaker. Prior to this part of her life, Jiggy had devoted her life to dancing. During her time at Penn State as a student, she felt most apart of the RAM Dance Squad, a hip-hop group.
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During her time at Penn State, she also carried with her the struggle of knowing her mother had been diagnosed with cancer. After her mother passed away, it was difficult for her to move on after graduation. After Sam reached out to Jiggy a few years after graduation, she decided she would come back to Penn State to work under his wing.
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Today, she has given up her entire career as a dancer to teach others how to motivate themselves. Her struggles did not end there, however, as she was denied by a local church in State College to baptism because she had a girlfriend. While the event was truly unfortunate, this did not stop her from holding on to her faith or maintaining a relationship with her girlfriend Kristin. Jiggy has endured many hardships, but she never stops believing in herself. She dedicates her life now to motivating others to do the same, her motto being "live in your passion".
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Jiggy Yoon frequently builds her physical strength by lifting weights at the Lion's Heart Gym in State College, PA.
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Displayed on her arm is a tattoo she got of her mother's christian name, Stella, after her passing. Jiggy's intensive training at the gym is for pure enjoyment, rather than a personal health goal.
Jiggy Yoon reads out-loud a set of different situations for an exercise during Sam Richard's Sociology 119 class.
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As a tribute to the "Love Has No Labels" campaign, Sam asked Jiggy to read a list of different situations in which students were advised to stand up if it pertained to their lives. After Jiggy read out-loud the situation "stand up if you've ever lost a parent" she took a moment to reflect.
Jiggy Yoon judges the RAM Dance Squad Competition at the Hub at Penn State.
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Although dance is no longer the career Jiggy is pursuing, it is still one of her greatest passions and reamains a huge part of her.
Jiggy Yoon dances in the center of RAM Dance Squad Members at the RAM Dance Squad Competition at the Hub at Penn State.
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Before taking center stage, Jiggy had not danced in nearly 3 years. She pumps up the crowd as she runs past each student in the circle before finally showing some dance moves.
Jiggy Yoon, right, and her girlfriend Kristin, left, attend the Wiscoy Easter Egg Hunt with their dog Joey in State College.
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Kristin gave Joey to Jiggy as a birthday present since she never had a dog, and the two named him after their favorite television series, Friends. Although Kristin works nearly 5 different jobs, the two try to spend as much time together. Jiggy plans to marry her one day.
Jiggy Yoon walks inside the Christ Community Church located in State College, PA.
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After being rejected by a separate local church on the basis of her sexuality, she has finally found a place where she and her girlfriend are welcomed with open arms by the State College community.
Jiggy Yoon cries after giving a heart-wrenching motivational speech to the students in Sam Richard's Sociology 119 class.
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Jiggy has been at Penn State for many years, but her time is reaching an end as she and her girlfriend, Kristin will be moving to San Diego, California in August. In her speech, Jiggy explains that she is grateful for the experiences that have shaped her as a human being, and will continue to strive in every aspect of her life to motivate the same kind of passion onto other people.