How did I start gymnastics? During our annual family camping trip in 2007, I kept doing pull-ups on every tree I came across, so my mom said I needed to try gymnastics and enrolled me in a recreational gymnastics class. At the end of class, a JO coach asked me to try out for the team. I tried out and successfully joined the development team at Top Flight Gymnastics and at my very first meet, Gypsy Invite, I won first place on Beam with a 9.200 score. I then placed second on Vault at the Level 4 NorCal State Championships under the coaching of Olga Pantelus, Beth Strong, and Tatyana Pantelus.

I moved to Pacific West Gymnastics in April 2010 under following coaches: Level 5: Hanako Miura, Michelle Largen, Jen Apodaca, Alan Fujinami, Donna Craig, and Maria Traggio Rivera Level 6: Jenn Battaglia, Rodica Apateanu and Maria Traggio Rivera, Level 7: Jenn Battaglia, Rodica Apateanu Level 8: Jenn Battaglia, Rodica Apateanu, and Liviu Mazilu Level 9: Kelsey Witten and Hanako Miura During the eight years at Pacific West, I earned 12 Gold, 16 Silver, and 13 Bronze medals in Zone/State/Regional/Western Championships.

In May 2018, I moved to San Mateo Gymnastics, and competed in Levels 9 and 10, earning 2 Gold,1 Silver, and 2 Bronze medals in State/Regional/Western Championships.

Gymnastics has been a part of my life since I was Kindergarten. Over the years, I chose gymnastics over friend’s birthday parties, playdates, school dances, football games, friend get togethers, movies, watching TV, study groups, and even sleep. To me, the 24 hours in six days every week is worth it. I love the rush of swinging through the air between bars, flipping in the air onto a 4-inch beam, running at full speed to the vault table, and dancing to classical music. I am a Gymnast, but I am also a Black Belt, a Teacher, a Coach, a future doctor, and so much more!

Honesty. Integrity. Perseverance. Self-control. Indomitable Spirit. Those are the five words I have learned throughout my nine years leading up to my Tae Kwon Do Black Belt. Though I no longer attend classes every week, those five words have been ingrained into my being. Today, I stand tall knowing I do my best to uphold the five tenets of Tae Kwon Do.

I have been blessed to have an opportunity to attend Bishop O’Dowd High School through the Presidential Scholarship Award, Bay Scholars Award, Knights of Columbus Scholarship, Black Catholic Ministry Award, FACE (Family Aid - Catholic Education), Knights of Peter Claver Ladies Auxiliary Scholarship, as well as additional Financial Aid through the school. No words of thanks truly reflect my gratitude for the education and community I obtain here. Therefore, I must give thanks through my actions.

At Bishop O’Dowd, I’m an advanced leader in the Campus Ministry Team (CMT) and an executive member on the Filipino Club. In CMT, we organize the spiritual service, create skits to translate the Catholic readings into a universal understanding for the school community, prepare charity drives, leading prayer in the morning, and participate in the Freshman and Sophomore Retreats. During the Frosh retreat, I lead a small group of freshmen in discussions about their high school life to help them better understand each other, connect with others, and branch out. In Filipino Club, I’m part of the executive council, where I’m in charge of helping the freshmen to learn the choreography to our tinikling dance. I serve as Dragon Ambassador at my school because I believe Bishop O’Dowd is an amazing educational institution, the teachers are phenomenal, the community is family, and I love sharing this with others.

Outside of school, I do community service at my church. I am an altar server, where I help the priest during a liturgy. I’ve been doing this so long that I’ve been asked to teach younger kids how to altar serve. I have started my second year of being a Faith Formation teacher, where I teach 4th-8th graders about the Catholic Sacrament of Reconciliation. I’ve found that I love working with kids and being around their energy puts a smile on my face. I helped coach Track and Field for All Saints Catholic Youth Organization (CYO). I was in charge of organizing the kids so they could run their race or do their field event. During the summers, as a Black Belt, I also teach TaeKwonDo to children in Grades TK-8. Coaching kids on sports is another joy for me. I love seeing the excitement when a child learns a new skill after struggling to master it. Serving my church is the gift I give to God who blesses me with everything in my life.

I hate to admit it, but Reading is not my best friend. I can read and I do enjoy it; however, it does not come easy, especially after coming home at 9:30pm from a 4-hour gymnastics practice everyday. Despite these facts, I still maintain a 3.83 cumulative GPA. I am more of a Math and Science girl. I dream of becoming a Pediatrician and know that would entail a lot of reading (to say the least). I will continue to work hard to get there. To me, becoming a doctor is like learning a new gymnastics skill. I will fall learning new skills, I will be frustrated; I will even be bruised and scraped, but in time and hard work, I will get it and be great.

I am not perfect nor am I the best. I am simply a girl with dreams and the focus and drive to achieve them!

Academic Awards:

Member of the National Honor Society

First Honor Roll for every HS semester

Active Member California Scholarship Federation (CSF) for every semester

Volunteer Highlights:

All Saints Church: Faith Formation Teacher and Altar Server

TaeKwonDo: Black Belt Teacher

Track & Field: CYO Track & Field Assistant Coach

Official Website http://gym-style.com/tiaravara/about.htm

Videos from Pre-team in 2007 to Present, including every competition in between: https://tinyurl.com/TiaRavara

Resume: https://tinyurl.com/tiaravararesume2019