GCH   

Hug & Kiss Meet

January Gymnast of the Month

Alicia

For the past eleven years Alicia (or “Allie-Cat”) as her Mom has nicknamed her, has been a constant fixture here at the Gymnastic Center of Hershey.  Starting out as a bouncy little five year old, Alicia is now an accomplished sixteen year old Novice Optional – one of the higher competitive levels here at the Gymnastic Center of Hershey.

“The Beam is my best event”, according to Alicia, “and I manage to usually pull high 8’s or get into the 9’s at most meets”.  Although she scores consistently high on the beam, her heart is firmly in the Floor event.  “I like the chance to use my creativity, timing and athletic ability and the Floor event provides me that challenge”.

Allie has tried some other sports- like her younger brother and older sister (who are accomplished ice hockey players), she gave the sport a serious effort.  She soon realized that ice hockey wasn’t her cup of tea however. “I didn’t like banging into people and basically I wanted to keep all my teeth!”

In the eleven years of competing and training “Allie” has managed to remain pretty much injury free except for one “head banger” (a round off/back tuck that she slipped on and….(she remembers hearing a “thud” and the audience gasp, but she staggered to her feet and woozily finished the event).  She remembers that her teammates and audience clapped in support of her, but not much else that day.

Allie has plans on one day being a Television Reporter/Journalist or similar career that will allow use of her skills in English and Creative Writing; her best school subjects.

Allie has a pet that already is immersed in the newspaper industry;….not reporting…not journalistic research…but still she plays a vital role.  “Sunshine”, Allie’s yellow Labrador Retriever brings in the newspaper every morning regardless of rain, snow, sleet, or hail.  According to Allie however, “You’d better have that cookie ready because she won’t let go of the paper unless she sees her cookie!”  

Chinese food is one of Allie’s weaknesses – especially from Marco Polo or Grand Buffet on Rt. 22 (their coconut chicken is fantastic!).

Alicia has a favorite vacation spot – Cocoa Beach in Florida where her Grandfather lives.  She’s looking forward to a unique vacation this summer however with her French teacher and other students.  They will be touring Paris, Nice and other spots along the Moyenne Corniche (possibly Villefranche, Eze, Grasse, Monte Carlo and others).  Having been to most of those locations myself, I can only wish Alicia “Bon chance mes amis!”

Everyone say hello to our January Gymnast of the Month – Alicia – or better yet, just yell “Hey Allie Cat!!”