New Faces on Team: Mikayla

Mikayla joins the OTW Level 7 Team with five years of gymnastics experience. This 7th grader loves lobster and likes the movie "Evan Almighty." Her favorite song is "One Step At A Time." Her favorite event is Vault. From her previous competitions, her highest score was a 9.1. When asked what she likes best about being on the OTW Team, she said, "...everyone is funny and friendly." As the optional teams polish up their skills for the start of the season, Mikayla said, "considering I'm brand new (to OTW), I look forward to some great years with the team."

We do too, Mikayla. The Level 7 Team is looking very promising this year. We're glad to have you as part of it. Watch out banner, here they come!

New Faces on Team: Emily

Emily is another of our new Level 4 Team girls. She's been doing  gymnastics since she was two. She likes eating pizza and watching  Animal Planet.  For music, she's "an old school girl," having a soft spot for KISS. But, back to gymnastics, her favorite events are Floor  and Bars. Even though its very early in the season, the thing she likes best is hanging around with the older team girls, to watch them and learn from them.

That Emily is a shrewd one. There is a lot of talent on the OTW teams. Watching champions is a great way to learn and become one too!  Go get 'em Emily.

New Faces on Team: Sarah

Sarah is a new face on the OTW Team, but not a new face around the gym. Between classes, rec and pre-team, she's been coming to Off The Wall since she was 2 years old. Now she's 8 years old and moved up to the Level 4 Team. Her favorite event thus far is Bars. Her favorite food is strawberries and she enjoys watching "Jon and Kate plus 8." She turns the radio up to hear "Broken Road." What Sarah likes best about the whole team experience so far, was meeting all the other team girls during the summer 'camp' weeks.

Welcome to the team, Sarah. We'll be cheering you on as the season gets under way.

Nice Day for Tag Day 1

Turned out the girls had an excellent day for the Tag Day. Friday's rain had cleared out, and Sunday's rain hadn't come in yet. Eleven of the 31 team girls participated, covering the 18 time slots. The proceeds were off a bit compared to last year, but not from lack of effort by the girls. Some stayed for multiple shifts. They poured on the charm (as usual) and even did some demonstrations which did impress the shoppers. Perhaps the slower economy was a factor. Either way, the eleven did more than their part to help raise money for sending some of their team mates to Regionals and Nationals, as well as some for the year-end banquet and for possible meet fees next year.

Thanks to LaNaya, Sydney, Emma L., Hanna, Hope, Emily D., Amanda, Maddy K., Sarah, Ellie and Nicole. Great job girls! There are some photos on the Photo Album Page

Thanks too, to you parents who drove them and stayed as chaperones. Their success is yours too.

First Booster Meeting, Thursday!

We had a good first meeting of the season. It was great to see some new faces among the regulars. There were many good ideas discussed for fundraising for this year's projects. More on that later. The most urgent business was the upcoming Tag Day (canning in front of stores) which is scheduled for this Saturday at 9:00. There is a sign-up sheet upstairs at the gym. As of Thursday night, there was still a need for girls to sign up for the middle "shift" at Shaws and a couple slots still open at Walmart. Check out the sign-up sheet on Friday and sign up for a time slot. It's a great way to help out the teams without having to buy anything (or sell anything). For those already signed up, thanks! And, see you Saturday!