NWHSU Student Commencement

Student Speakers:

Amanda Hara

Massage Therapy – College of Health & Wellness Graduating Class 

Since childhood, Amanda has been fascinated by the intersection of art, storytelling and healing. Her love of hands-on work started at her grandmother’s feet.
Amanda graduated from the University of MN, Duluth, with her BA in Language, Literature and Culture. In 2007, she studied sports massage in Prior Lake, while pregnant with her daughter. In 2011, Amanda completed two years of study to become an Ordained Shamanic Minister. She has since become a student of other spiritual paths and practices, meaning she has literally walked across burning coals to get where she is today. In 2022, Amanda completed a 1500-hour immersive herbalism program from Chestnut School of Herbal Studies, adding to her lexicon of why she is “really super cool at parties.”

Throughout her studies, Amanda has been a mother, teacher, gardener, an artist, gallery coordinator, and even a horse-drawn carriage driver. She often says she has lived about ten lifetimes in this one and has developed some solid self-care practices as a result. Her writing and art has been published internationally, and she has won awards for her photography and visual art works.

While here at NWHSU, she has served as the Massage Program Representative for Student Senate, served as a student ambassador, and co-founded the Massage Therapy Club. She is a member of the Functional Medicine, Functional Neurology, Herbalism, GSSA clubs, and recently started working in the library. She graduates today with the Certificate in Relaxation Massage, with the aim of completing the AAS at the end of this year.

Sarah Payeur

Master of Acupuncture – College of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine

Before attending Northwestern Health Sciences University (NWHSU) as an acupuncture student, Sarah Payeur earned her undergraduate degree in Theater from Northern Michigan University
(NMU) in Marquette, Michigan, in 1998. Despite loving the theater, life took her in a different direction. Sarah was a Captain in the Alaska Army National Guard, working full-time as an Active Guard Reserve (AGR) officer before being medically retired in 2016. Throughout her military service, she held a variety of positions in personnel management, logistics, budgeting, and operations.

After her retirement from the military, Sarah received an acupuncture treatment that was so effective in reducing her pain, it inspired her to become a licensed acupuncturist to expand healthcare support to other veterans, caregivers, and trauma survivors in her community. During her clinical internships, Sarah has enjoyed connecting with and treating patients in our student clinics, as well as in hospital and community acupuncture settings.

Outside of her academic pursuits, Sarah enjoys traveling, spending time with her three kids and other family, and laughing with friends. You might also see her at a Renaissance festival or another theatrical/musical venue, where she will neither confirm nor deny attending in costume. Sarah is passionate about working with veterans and other trauma survivors in her future practice using the principles of acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to reduce their pain and mental/emotional distress and restore health.

Kyle DeLamielleure

Doctor of Chiropractic – College of Chiropractic

Originally from Grand Rapids, Michigan, Dr. Kyle DeLamielleure is a third-generation chiropractor. His father, also a chiropractor, played a significant role in shaping his understanding of the profession and instilling an appreciation for the traditional principles of chiropractic care, including respect for the body’s natural ability to heal and adapt when given the proper support.

Kyle attended Northern Michigan University, where he studied General Biology and competed as a collegiate football player. His experience as a student-athlete deepened his interest in human movement, injury recovery, and the importance of maintaining a strong and resilient body.

He went on to earn his Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Northwestern Health Sciences University, where he also served as an Anatomy Teaching Assistant. Through his education and clinical experience, Kyle developed a strong interest in restoring proper movement and function in the body, recognizing that improved mobility and joint function play a critical role in reducing pain, supporting recovery, and helping individuals stay active throughout their lives.

Following graduation, Dr. DeLamielleure will begin practicing chiropractic in Bozeman, Montana, where he looks forward to serving an active community and helping patients maintain healthy, unrestricted lives.