Dear Gymternet- Journals from Elena Arenas (Entry #5 October 2014)

Dear Gymternet, 

I've had really fun and exciting times this past month!  I was selected to represent the USA at the Pan American Gymnastics Union camp (PAGU) along with one of my best friends, Maile O'Keefe.  I also went on my very first recruiting trip to UGA.

When I found out I was going to PAGU, I was so excited!  I was at the ranch for camp last month when I found out and I couldn't wait until I could tell my mom!  I knew they were only selecting two gymnasts to go and I didn't know who the other person was until the next day and when they told me it was Maile I was super happy!  I texted Maile after gym that night and we were both wondering what it would be like and hoping that some of the girls will know English. Haha!

Elena with Maile O'Keefe

A few weeks later I got my USA apparel in the mail and it was so much fun opening up the box.  My dad/coach was out of town visiting family when it came and he wanted me to wait for him to open it, but I couldn't wait to see what was inside!  I got three USA leos, a shirt, a bag and shorts.  My dream of representing the USA was coming true!  I am going to keep training really hard the next couple of weeks so I can be as prepared as possible for PAGU.

Going on my first recruiting trip was very exciting!  It was at UGA and I couldn't wait to see the campus.  It was fun to share this experience with my teammate (Sami Durante).  First we watched the Gym Dogs workout, then we took a golf cart to go eat. Sami and I sat on the back of the golf cart which was fun because I've never done that!  We then spelled out a word using our bodies around campus.  The next day we went to the football game and then we all hung out afterwards.  It was so much fun and I hope to get to explore other colleges in the future!

Right now I am on my way to the ranch for developmental camp.  I'm very excited to show what I'm working and see all of my friends!  Right when we get there, I always run to the bulletin board to see who my roommates are.  Today I have physical abilities testing ... wish me luck! :)

~ Elena

Note: Elena wrote this while on her way to the ranch. Due to poor service in the area, this entry is a few days late. Elena is now back home and training for the PAGU camp!

Elena also received her "Triple Twist" t-shirt a few weeks ago. It may be a few sizes too big, but she still rocks it!

10 Things You Don't Know About...Bailey Ferrer

1. I love seafood.

2. My favorite color is purple.

3. Country music is my favorite music.

4. I have to mark off my calendar every night.

5. I have three dogs and a cat.

6. I love scary movies.

7. I have a Friday leo and it's purple!

8. My favorite shoes are Jack Rogers.

9. I love watching Criminal Minds and Pretty Little Liars.

10. I can never have enough bathing suits!


10 Things You Don't Know About:
Sarah Finnegan
Laurie Hernandez
Ragan Smith
Ari Agrapides
Ellie Downie
Vanasia Bradley
Jazmyn Foberg
Deanne Soza

Chalk It Up - The next gymnastics film in the works

Who doesn't love a little fictional gymnastics cinema action? As hardcore gym fans, we can't get enough of watching our favorite sport on the big screen. That's why we know all the lines to Stick It and Make it or Break it was our guilty pleasure every week. Well gym fans, get ready, because there is a new movie in the works called Chalk It Up and it's bound to be a hit!

Apple with the Rugby boys.

The film was written by Maddy Curley who is best known for her role as Mina from Stick It. Maddy will star in the film as a "super girly girl" named Apple who's boyfriend is moving to England to play Rugby after finding out their Ivy League school is breaking Title 9. (Where there has to be an equal number of male and female sports.) Determined to win him and his rugby team back, Apple creates a gymnastics team. It works, but not for long. He dumps her and Apple is left to figure out what matters more now; her new team or boys.



Apple's gymnastics team is comprised with a few familiar faces in the gymnastics world. In addition to Maddy, who was a gymnast at North Carolina, the movie will feature Krista Jasper, (Former US national team member/University of North Carolina) Susan Jackson, (2010 NCAA Champion/LSU) Kim Jacob, (2014 NCAA Champion/Alabama) Britnee Habbib, (Canadian national team member) Jen Hansen, (1993, 94, & 95 NCAA Champion/Kentucky) and Tarah Paige. (elite in the 90's/ Tricia Skilken from Stick It) Unlike in Stick It, all these girls (except Kim Jacob) will actually appear in the movie rather than just being stunt doubles, so we can expect to see some good gymnastics! At the start of the movie the girls are just a group of misfits who have never done gymnastics, but eventually they get better and better and work their way to elite level skills. "The falls when they aren't good yet will be the really fun part!" Maddy joked.

The movie just wrapped up filming and the editing is expected to be finished by April of 2015. The distribution deal they get will determine when exactly the movie will come out and how fans can watch it. "I would love for it to be in theaters and I've always pictured it on  ABC Family." Curly said. Maddy was inspired to make Chalk It Up after realizing how many little girls couldn't watch Stick It or Make it or Break it because of the adult-like content. "I wanted to make a family friendly gymnastics movie." she said. As for her hopes for the movie, "I want it to be a staple in every gymnast's house so they can laugh and love watching the gymnastics over and over again."