Bahamas Star Gymnastics’ vision and objectives to encourage holistic development in its gymnasts accomplished its aim in trailblazing style. BSG in conjunction with Bahamas Gymnastics Parent Booster Club hosted FlipFest Summer Jam in late June.
FlipFest celebrated the recreational gymnastics squad, known as Twinklers (young beginners) and Sparklers (older beginners), on both their athletic and academic progress and achievement.
Event organizers developed the event to showcase the skills of gymnasts who do not meet the minimum age criteria of 6 years old to compete or choose to remain on the non-competitive track of the sport.
Some participants from 2014 FlipFest Summer Jam showcase their academic awards and medals. Photo: Courtesy of Bahamas Star Gymnastics www.bahamasstargym.com
Some families choose gymnastics simply for the fun and fitness which the sport offers. These recreational gymnasts performed some of the same skills as their competitive counterparts. Among the skills demonstrated were pullovers on the Uneven Bars and tuck jumps and arabesques on the Balance Beam. Other skills included “candlesticks” and choreography to music on the Floor Exercise. Stretch jumps and handstands comprised some of the demonstrations on the Vault.
Entertainment was provided by Derek Adams and Charlie to the delight of parents and other family supporters who delved into action with the gymnasts.
Gymnasts were feasted to games including an obstacle course which the parents challenged as well. Face painting and coupons donated by event sponsors, Dairy Queen and McDonalds, capped off the fun filled affair for the all participants.
The last segment of the event drew excitement and lots of anticipation. Dr. Tracy Roberts-Halkitis, a board member of BGPBC, announced the winners of the academic awards. All gymnasts received a medal to commend them on their hard work both “inside and outside of the gym”. The 2013-2014 Academic Award recipients are:
Category First Place Winner Runner(s) Up
Preschool/Kindergarten Logan Stubbs Tanitra Armbrister
Lower Primary (Grades 1-3) Melania Nixon Tie: Triniti Benoir & Maya Miller
Upper Primary (Grades 4-6) Sanaa Saunders Tie: Summer Sturrup & Kym-Benay Greene
Junior High (Grades 7-9) Caitlin Cash Athalia Swann
Senior High (Grades 10-12) Savannah Lightfoot Aleah Knowles
“We have always emphasized that pursuing excellence in all aspects of life is important,” remarked Lisa Greene, president of Bahamas Gymnastics Parent Booster Club and a teacher by profession. “Academics should not suffer because of athletics but sports should pave the way for a better future in academics.
These academic awards aim to motivate our gymnasts to keep the balance between athletics and academics in perspective”.
Green’s own daughter, Kym-Benay Greene, is a testament that this strategy is effective as young Greene not only tied as the runner up in Academic Award in the Upper Primary Division but also won the Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association’s Girls Age 10 National Tennis Tournament division a few days later.
BSG’s internal policy requires its competitive squad to report their academic results each semester and all GPAs reported exceeded 2.50 minimum requirement.
Many of the gymnasts topped the honor roll at their respective schools and captured multiple subject awards in some cases.
Bahamas Star Gymnastics opened its doors in 2010 with its Starmania Summer Camp. BSG and BGPBC continue to jointly host numerous coaching clinics and other events which have contributed to the improvement in the sport of gymnastics.
BSG supports Atlantis Crown Gymnastics Invitational, the largest gymnastics meet in the Caribbean, hosted on Paradise Island for the past 3 years.
