Hi GymBeat Family,
Welcome to our October newsletter! This month, as we head into thanksgiving and holiday season, our main focus is reflecting on what we were able to accomplish this year. Yes, this year has definitely taken quite a few twists and turns and has impacted many people in many different ways, but if we can take some time to think about what we were able to do, it can help us move in a positive direction as we head into the final stretch of this year.
Coach of the Month
Claudia Getchell
Claudia started out with our gym almost from the beginning back in 2004, when her 8 year-old daughter Stephanie started taking tumbling classes and private lessons. What was inspiring was that although Stephanie was already cheering for another cheer organization, Claudia and Stephanie felt their new home was with Gymbeat and the start of something huge! During the first
downtown Fresno Christmas parade that we entered, Claudia was the volunteer
parent that passed out bags of candy with flyers to all the spectators sitting and standing on the curb, while Stephanie and our demo team flipped and did cartwheels along the way! (Which we won 2nd place in the ‘Sports division’ for most decorated float! It was actually a long bed truck spruced up!) Claudia continued to volunteer for the next few years building up momentum by assisting with yearly school carnivals and demonstrations. It was here that Claudia was officially hired and truly proved her worth. From that point on, Claudia’s passion for cheer and adding to Gymnastics Beat’s Vision has only demonstrated, what can happen when you just want to volunteer to help out your child, and all of the sudden, find your true calling! Thank You Claudia for all you do, for our students, athletes, staff, coaches and parent support!
Athletes of the Month
Lizzy McKinlay
Lizzy is 11 years old and in 6th grade. She competes for Gymnastics Beat in the Junior Olympic program, and her favorite event is floor exercises. For those that do not know what ‘Floor Exercises’ are, it requires tumbling skills like round off back-handsprings and cartwheels as well as dance routines to music. She currently is at level 4 and has been in gymnastics since 2016. Lizzy says her favorite part of gymnastics is learning new skills! Outside of the gym, Lizzy’s hobbies are art and traveling. She also is an animal lover, especially since she has a pet dog named Max and a cat named Mia. Lizzy’s favorite subject at school is math. So let’s try a fun math teaser out there! At a gymnastics, meet which athlete won the All-Around title? ( to win, you have to have the highest total score. ( hint: add all 4 events to get a total ) Claudia scored 9.4, 9.1, 8.8 and 9.0, Jill scored 8.9, 10, 8.8 and 8.7, and Lena scored 10, 9.4, 9.9 and 6.9 ( Lena fell twice off the beam ). Lizzy scored 9.2, 9.5, 8.7 and 9.1. Answer at the end of the newsletter.
Makayla Daugherty
Makayla is 11 years old and is in 6th grade. She loves everything about gymnastics because it makes her so happy, especially since her best friend ‘Lizzy’ is training along side with her under the guidance of coach Lena. Makayla’s philosophy is that gymnastics is so challenging, daring and fun all at the same time, what’s not to like when you compete with your friends and team-mates! She also says, “If you fall, you have to get back up and try again! And most importantly, trust yourself and not get so mad on challenging skills!” Makayla’s currently competing at level 5 on the Junior Olympic program and her favorite event is bars. She has two pets, a chihuahua and rottweiler and loves to do fun and daring things! At school, Makayla’s favorite subject is English. Ok, here is a quick quiz: How many syllables are there in the word: SUPERCALIFRAGILISTICEXPIALIDOCIOUS. Answer at the end of the newsletter.
Sam's Corner
I’ve only been sick once in 4 years! My wife can attest to this, because no one wants to be sick with the flu or cold…it sucks. Some customers ask me if I take vitamin supplements along with my everyday diet. My answer is yes and it’s mostly what lots of adults are used to. Like Vitamin C or calcium or maybe a fish oil tablet. It’s interesting that as I do get older, I’m fascinated by learning more about maintaining my health and increasing my chances of longevity than ever before. Do any of you eat yogurt or foods rich with active cultures? Probiotics have been all over the news for many years now and it is important to have a healthy gut. I love sauerkraut, kim-chi, miso based soups, all kinds of yogurt, kefir and recently, my wife Diana introduced me to Kombucha. She has been drinking it for a while now, so I wanted to try some. Sure-enough I’m hooked on it too! Our daily diet consists of lots of leafy green vegetables, seasonal fruits, very little meat, but lots of fish and chicken. Supplements are only added to our daily intake of food if we feel it’s necessary and/or if one can afford them. What’s important is that we all take a moment to look at what is best for our own bodies, what we eat, how much to take and read up on the latest news on healthy eating. Below are some links to healthy foods, probiotics and supplements. See if you learn something new! Whatever I’ve been doing for the past many years has kept the flu bug and common cold at bay! Even my long-time employees have noticed I hardly get sick. Something must be working, eh? But obviously, if you ever have any questions or are unsure, consult your doctor.
Recipe of the Month
Breakfast Baked Apples
Recipe by Delish
INGREDIENTS
2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
3 cups water
2 tbsp. maple syrup
1 tbsp. ground cinnamon
4 large baking apples, tops sliced and insides hollowed
2 tbsp. dried cranberries
2 tbsp. chopped pecans
DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 400°. In a medium saucepan over medium-low heat, combine oatmeal and water and stir occasionally until creamy. Stir in maple syrup and ground cinnamon and let cool slightly.
Transfer apples to a glass baking dish and spoon in oatmeal. Bake until apples are soft and bubbly, about 35 minutes.
Top oatmeal with cranberries and pecans and serve.
That's all for this month's newsletter. We hope that you were able to use this to gather your thoughts on all the things you were able to do this year, despite challenges, and what you will focus on in the last mile of 2020. Have a specific topic you want us to discuss in our next newsletter? Let us know! Email us at info@gymnasticsbeat.com and we will take a look at your ideas.
Signing off for now!
-The Gymnastics Beat Team
P.S the answer to Lizzy's question was: Lizzy scored a total of 36.5 to win the All-Around title! Go Lizzy!!
The answer to Makayla's question was: 14