The Summer Olympics has everyone buzzing about their favorite U.S.A. teams and athletes, especially our young Y athletes whose dreams of gold start right here at the Y.
As we celebrate Team USA winning gymnastics gold in the women's team final, we want to celebrate our own medal-winning SSYMCA gymnastics team, who recently competed in the 2024 YMCA National Gymnastics Championship and Invitational meet, and who have overcome their share of challenges to do what they love.
The YMCA championship event, which first took place in 1938, was held at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center and brought together over 1,900 gymnasts from more than 82 teams. Team SSYMCA traveled with 20 qualifying gymnasts, ranging from ages 7-18, many competing for their first time at the national level. The girls worked hard all year to earn 20 medals for team SSYMCA under the coaching team of Keriann Hart, Kara Protulis, Ciara Hughes, and myself.
YMCA meets are special: It's more than just competition. The Y encourages the gymnasts to make a new friend at this meet, and they rekindle friendships year after year. The memories of being surrounded by family, coaches, teammates, and supportive friends is what will stay with these girls for years.
As one of our graduating seniors shared with me, “The core moments of my gymnastics weren't winning medals, it was the times that I was able to bond with my teammates. They went from just people that I did gymnastics with a few times a week to some of my closest friends. The gym has been my home away from home. Each week, I was able to come to the gym and just escape from anything happening outside. The gym provided a space where I could work through any issue. The gym has given me so much more than I'm sure my mom expected when she put me in classes 15 years ago. Even though I am done practicing and competing for the YMCA, I know that I will always have a place to come back to.”
Like many of us, some of our young gymnasts face challenges and hardships in life, and coming to the gym is an amazing way to cope and heal. They look up to Olympian role models like Simone Biles, perhaps the most decorated U.S. gymnast of all time, and see someone who shows resilience and strength.
One of our young gymnasts, who we will call “Carrie”, lost her mom to cancer at a very young age, and struggled. She was afraid to leave her family's side, afraid of noises, afraid of groups. She is now thriving because of her love of gymnastics. Her family shared with me: "Gymnastics has been such a healing tool for Carrie, a space to push her while growing her strength and confidence, a place to help her find her 'before' self again. Thank you for your patience and support and I am so glad you've been able to see what she can really do!”
At the Y, we want to ensure that gymnastics is available for everyone. For many of our gymnasts, the ability to participate in Y gymnastics training and year-round programs is possible thanks to financial assistance available through donor gifts to our South Shore YMCA Annual Fund. It is part of our mission to ensure that every kid can belong and play at the Y, which is why we continue to expand our inclusive and adaptive sports programming and raise funds to ensure nobody is turned away because of inability to pay.
We are so proud of all our gymnasts, and look forward to expanding our Y gymnastics program in the future so that more children can benefit from this amazing sport.