By Elizabeth Orsi

Gymnastics is a sport that demands a combination of physical strength, mental resilience, and dedication. For many young athletes, the sport becomes more than just a pastime, but rather a lifelong passion that shapes their character. For student gymnasts and juniors Brenna Angelo and Jada Kim, the journey has been nothing short of transformative, filled with challenges, triumphs, and a shared love for the sport.

Angelo’s love for gymnastics began with curiosity. At the age of five, her mother found her hanging from rain gutters, pretending they were parallel bars, which sparked the beginning of her gymnastics journey.

Inspired by watching her older sister, a level 3 gymnast, Angelo quickly fell in love with the sport.
Now competing as a level 8 gymnast at Vernon Lee Gymnastics, her dedication has come with a fair share of obstacles along the way. For Angelo, one of the toughest aspects of gymnastics is the mental and emotional toll it takes.

“It requires a lot of mental strength to keep pushing through failure,” Angelo said. “I’ve fallen countless times, and each time, I have to find the determination to get back up and keep going.”
What keeps her motivated, however, is the strong sense of camaraderie she’s found through the sport.

“Having people who understand the struggles and celebrate the successes with you is something unique,” Angelo said.

Brenna’s countless hours of dedication has led to significant achievements, which includes winning first place all around at the National Gymnastics Championships.

Looking ahead, she hopes to continue her gymnastics journey by joining a club team in college, where she can keep competing and remain connected to the sport she loves.

Kim’s story began even earlier, at the age of two, where she followed the steps of her sister who was also involved in the sport at the time. Since then, Kim has dedicated herself to training at Gymnastics Olympica in Santa Clarita.

Her hard work and perseverance have led to significant achievements, including qualifying for nationals three times, winning state championships twice at level 10, and most recently, earning a full athletic scholarship at the University of Georgia.

Kim’s ambitions even extend beyond collegiate gymnastics. Now, she is working toward representing South Korea in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

Similarly to Angelo, Kim’s journey has also not been without its challenges.

“The most difficult part is overcoming the mental blocks that come with certain skills,” Kim said. “It’s tough to push past the fear, but having supportive teammates and coaches makes a big difference.”

For Kim, the connections she’s built with the community have been instrumental in helping her stay focused and motivated.

She finds joy not only in the thrill of learning new skills, but also in the sense of belonging that comes from bonding with teammates and meeting other passionate gymnasts.

As both gymnasts continue to pursue their goals, they represent the passion and dedication that define the sport as a whole.

Both athletes have shown incredible commitment to the sport, and their accomplishments reflect their true passion for gymnastics.

With each new goal, they demonstrate the drive and determination that continues to fuel their success. Both Angelo and Kim illustrate the passion it takes to excel at high levels of gymnastics.