Resume: 2009 and
2010 state meet team competitor
2009 individual state
qualifier
Member of 2010 Class 3A girls track state championship
team and
individual state qualifier in pole vault
How
did you get started in gymnastics?: Before gymnastics, I tried
tons of sports, like soccer, basketball, Irish dance, and karate. In
fifth grade, when I was about 11 years old, my neighbor was in
gymnastics, and I wanted to be able to do flips like her. So after
some begging, my parents let me start recreational
gymnastics.
What is your greatest gymnastics moment?:
When I was a sophomore at state in the (2009) team finals, beam was
our team’s last event. I was the last girl to go for Hinsdale
Central on beam, and my other teammates had all done great routines
without falls. Staying on the beam at state that year as the last one
to compete was a huge relief and a perfect ending to my season
What
is the best part of gymnastics practice?: Being with the girls on
the team is definitely the best part. I would never survive practice
without them!
What individual gymnastics accomplishment are you
most proud of?: I am very proud to be the school balance beam
record holder (9.55 Jan. 5 at Naperville North Invite), because it is
mind-blowing to know that I have had the highest beam score out of
all the amazing gymnasts that have competed for Hinsdale
Central.
What do you know about gymnastics now that you wish
you knew when you were a freshman?: Keeping your knees straight
in routines is really, really important.
What is your favorite
gymnastics saying or slogan?: (Teammate) Kristen Grilli taught me
the saying, ‘PMA all the way.’ PMA stands for positive mental
attitude. It’s not just a gymnastics
slogan. It works for pretty
much everything, but it is something people should remember.
What
would make this a successful season for you?: As long as everyone
on the team gets to compete in conference, sectionals and state, I
will consider this season a success. That means we need to stop
getting injured.
How did you get involved with the Bell
Choir at the Union Church of Hinsdale?: I played in the ‘smaller’
bell choir in middle school, and it was actually my mom that
convinced me to join the Allegro Handbell Ensemble in high school. At
first I did not want to do it, but after a few months it became one
of my favorite activities. My favorite part of bells is going on
summer tours each year to play concerts around the country.
How
did you become interested in pole vault? What did it mean for you to
qualify for state in 2010?: During the gymnastics postseason, I
saw some girls pole vaulting in the fieldhouse where we practice
floor routines. People told me that gymnasts tend to be good at pole
vault, so I decided to try it. It is not nearly as time-consuming as
gymnastics, and it is nice because I don’t get an execution score.
The only thing that matters is getting over the bar. Qualifying for
state was extremely exciting for me. My vault didn’t contribute to
the team score, but it was actually more rewarding to watch my
teammates win state for Central for the first time.
What is
your favorite video game?: Wii Fit, because I don’t like going
long without doing something active. And it’s the only video
game I can play while feeling productive at the same time.
What
are five items you would select for a fantasy meal?: Pasta with
marinara sauce would be the main dish. I have it almost every day,
but it’s always amazing. I would also have some salad with my
dad’s delicious dressing. Lemonade is great all the time, so that
would be my drink. For dessert, I would either have something
smothered in Nutella or crème brulée. Yum.
If you could be a
guest star on any current television show, which would you choose?:
‘House.’ I would have some crazy incurable disease, but then
House would miraculously cure me when I am just inches from death.
It’s what happens in every episode.”
If you could sing a
duet with any currently living person, whom would you choose? I
would sing with the cast from ‘Glee’ because they make every song
sound like it could be from a Disney movie.
If you could live
for one month in any foreign country, where would you choose?:
Australia. Hopefully a month is long enough to acquire the
accent.
What three items would you bring to a deserted island?:
I would bring a camera, so I could remember my adventures on the
island if I ever got back home. I would also bring a
pillow/sleeping
bag because no one wants to sleep on the sand. I
have to say I would bring a cell phone to call for help. If I got no
service, I would spell out HELP on the ground with rocks. Someone
would see it
eventually. I’m hoping I never get into that
situation.
