Welcome to Mission Moment, a series from CEO Amy Vendt where she highlights moments from around the Bath Area Family YMCA that exemplify our association’s commitment to our mission of promoting the health and well-being of individuals, families, and communities.
One of my favorite places to walk through our YMCA is the gymnastics area. I love stopping to watch our gymnasts practice their routines—the concentration on their faces, the determination to perfect a skill, and especially the way they encourage one another. Hanging from the track are championship banners that tell a remarkable story. They represent decades of dedication, hard work, and young people discovering what they are capable of achieving.
The story of our gymnastics program began in 1973 when retired Navy officer and beloved YMCA Physical Director Woody Appleton started a competitive gymnastics program at the Bath Area Family YMCA. Just three years later, the team won its first state championship. In fact, from 1976 through 1989, with only one exception, the Bath YMCA brought home state titles year after year. Woody even hand-painted the first few championship signs himself. Those banners are not just reminders of victories—they are reminders of the lives that have been shaped within these walls.
Today, our gymnastics program looks different than it did in the 1970s, but its purpose has never changed. Every week, children as young as four years old arrive for lessons. Some are learning to do a forward roll, some are finding the courage to climb onto the balance beam, and others are preparing for competition. All of them are building confidence, resilience, and friendships that will last a lifetime.
This year, we are celebrating another historic milestone. For the first time in our program’s history, the Bath YMCA Gymnastics Team is attending the YMCA National Gymnastics Championship. What makes this moment even more special is that though our athletes have qualified in the past, circumstances never allowed them to attend. This year, a determined group of gymnasts set their sights on Nationals, supported by coaches and families who believed in their dream.
This accomplishment is also a reflection of the leadership and dedication of our Head Coach, Kym Granger. Coach Kym has poured her heart into developing not only skilled gymnasts but also determined and adaptable young people.
“Our athletes have worked incredibly hard and are ready for this opportunity,” Kym shared. She continued, noting her excitement to see them pursue their goals, experience the unique atmosphere of Nationals, and grow through the experience. Most importantly, she hopes this trip inspires future generations of Bath YMCA gymnasts to dream big and realize that competing on a national stage is possible.
“Success [at Nationals] won’t be measured by placements alone, but by the quality of the experience, the lessons learned, and the positive memories they create,” Kym noted.
That sentiment perfectly captures what YMCA programs are all about. When you ask these athletes what gymnastics means to them, they don’t talk first about medals or scores. They talk about teammates who encourage them to try new things, the excitement of taking on a challenge, and the joy of sharing experiences with friends.
I couldn’t be prouder of this program. For more than 50 years, gymnastics at the Bath Area Family YMCA has been about so much more than competition. From Woody Appleton’s hand-painted banners to our first trip to Nationals, the story of Bath YMCA gymnastics is ultimately a story of young people growing in confidence and carrying those lessons with them long after they leave the gym.
To our four gymnasts heading to Nationals: thank you for representing the Bath Area Family YMCA with determination, teamwork, and heart. You have already made history, and we are incredibly proud of you. Good luck in Greensboro—we can’t wait to cheer you on!
– Amy
Amy Vendt
Chief Executive Officer
