2011 Merit Scholarship Recipients

Each year, OGA offers merit scholarships to Level 9/10 athletes on one of our competitive teams. The athletes must demonstrate good character and a strong work ethic in both gymnastics and academics. Any athlete considered for a merit scholarship must be
recommended by their coach, display consistency in attending their scheduled workouts and have a cumulative 3.50 non-weighted grade point average.

This year, two members of the OGA Girl’s Team were awarded merit scholarships for their outstanding achievements in school and in the gym. Elizabeth “Eli” Pecsok, a Level 9 gymnast, attends Liberty High School and maintains a GPA of 3.8. Alexis Bridgewater, also a Level 9 gymnast, attends Forest Grove High School and maintains a 3.9 GPA.

These athletes are ideal examples of what OGA values in our gymnasts and we are so proud to be able to work with them. Congratulations to Eli and Alexis on a well deserved recognition for everything you have achieved

Oregon Gymnastics Academy Delivers 106 Valentines to Children with Cancer

Portland, OR (February 14, 2011) – 106 Oregon Gymnastics Academy Valentines were dropped off at the Child Life Department of Doernbecher Children’s Hospital during Valentines Day, yesterday. OGA’s Assistant Director Leonard Spivey was honored to make the delivery.

Doernbecher Children’s Hospital, located within the Oregon Health and Science University, has a 16 bed unit for inpatients in the Child Life Department. These children can be infants up to teenagers. Many have been living at Doernbechers for months with serious medical needs, most with a form of cancer.

In order to bring some cheer to the children in the Child Life Department on Valentines Day, the OGA management team organized and encouraged students and staff to make valentines during the first two weeks of February. AS a final push, a valentine craft table was set up in the OGA party room February 9-12^th, making it easier for our busy team athletes to contribute, and accounting for the bulk of the 106 delivered valentines.

Thank you to everyone who contributed to this thoughtful Character Counts project! The children at Doernbecher’s appreciated your caring hearts. Remember . . . at gym, at school, and in life, CHARACTE COUNTS!

Noah Brooke Wins Free Year of Tuition

Oregon Gymnastics Academy (November 29^th, 2010) – Noah Brooke – coached by Brad Bridgewater on the level 6 Boys Team – earned a free year of tuition for his passionate work in the Assisted Learning Class at Bonny Slope Elementary, during Character Counts Month.

Born with a speech disorder called Verbal Apraxia, Noah knows what it’s like to be misunderstood. For this reason, Noah focused his Character Counts project on the Assisted Learning Class at Bonny Slope Elementary. He forwent his recess time every day in October to help out and be a peer role model in the ALC. He took every opportunity to be involved, from reading out loud and showing off gymnastics skills, to developing and teaching his own lesson plans catered to the unique learning styles of the ALC students. Noah enjoyed his time in the class and has made new friends as a result. The teachers and principals were so impressed with Noah’s work andsuccess with the students that they are now contemplating how they can involve other students in the ALC class. Congratulations on your hard work Noah!

Nina Mastrantonio’s project – focusing on homeless teens – came in an incredibly close 2nd place, earning her a $300 tuition credit. Congratulations Nina! Thank you everyone who submitted a Character Counts project. Voting was extremely tough this year and we are all so proud of your work in the community. All the projects may be viewed for another week, in the OGA upstairs viewing area, between the two sets of bleachers.

Webb and Davis Earn Spots on the Jr. National Developmental Team

Colorado Springs, CO (November 5, 2010) – Two gymnasts from the Oregon Gymnastics Academy Boys Team – Carter Webb and Brady Davis - earned spots on the Jr. National Developmental Team after competing in the Future Stars National Championships, held November 5^th at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs.

In order to compete, all gymnasts had to qualify at a Regional Future Stars Testing meet.

Five gymnasts from OGA contended at the Future Stars National Championships, challenging the top 170 athletes in the nation for a spot on the Jr. National Developmental Team.

Carter Webb placed 3^rd and has been invited to a week long camp at the Olympic Training Center, where he will train with the top gymnastics coaches in the nation. Brady Davis finished 15^th.

Overall, OGA was a fierce contender, with Josh Havelind finishing 7^th, Evan Vacek finishing 25^th, and Zachary Ochsenschlager finishing 28^th. “Our boys understand success takes work.” explains Coach Leonard Spivey. “We’re proud of their achievements and excited for the future!”