This Summer, Florida gymnasts stuck a different kind of landing — one that brought them all the way to Singapore.
For a week, all but four Florida gymnasts and coaches took a trip to Singapore sponsored by Mokara Gymnastics Academy. The gymnasts worked a camp at the gym from May 26-29, teaching young girls the mechanics of gymnastics, strength and conditioning, rehabilitation, recruiting and more.
The gymnasts worked with campers of varying ages as camp leaders, event coordinators or floaters, said eMjae Frazier, a senior gymnast.
“We got to work in all different orders, all different ways,” Frazier said. “There were six events and four rotations. We warmed everyone up with one of our camp dances, which is so much fun because it’s a mixture of 10 different songs, and the kids just have so much fun with it.”
The gymnasts hosted Q&As, signed autographs and performed their floor routines for the campers on the third day, she said.
Danie Ferris, a junior gymnast, said this was the first time the team took a trip like this, but she hopes it will become a tradition. It wasn’t just a valuable experience for the girls participating in the camp, she said, but also for the team’s dynamics.
The already tight-knit team was able to spend quality time together outside the gym, she said.
“It was just cool to see everybody join together and just have fun,” Ferris said.
Outside the gym, the athletes also made time to explore the city.
Ferris said she planned before the trip and was the teammate others turned to for travel ideas. She and some of her teammates went ziplining, completed rope courses, shopped at the mall, went to a head spa, visited a zoo, ate at authentic restaurants and experienced what Singapore had to offer.
“I swear every day of the trip we were all exhausted,” Ferris said. “By the time I got back to the hotel, I was asleep in one second from how much we were trying to cram in the day. But it was worth it because we got so much done and it was so much fun.”
Although the athletes traveled with hopes of teaching those at the gym something new, they walked away learning valuable lessons themselves.
The owner and creator of Mokara Gymnastics Academy, Riley Lee, is only 17 years old. Frazier said Lee’s journey in starting the gym began a few years ago out of love for gymnastics. Lee’s teammates did not have their hearts in the sport anymore, Frazier said, so the 17-year-old wanted to create an environment that made gymnastics fun.
“We got to hear the making of Mokara and really learn what it takes to start a business,” Frazier said. “There [are] going to be a lot of ups and downs but it’s really just about sticking to it and really following your dreams.”
Ferris was also inspired by Lee’s story.
“She really taught me to make the most of everything — especially with her gym, how she built it — and really trusting yourself in your dreams and ideas,” Ferris said.
Lee’s gym started with a little dream, Ferris said, and it grew as her dad pushed her to accomplish her goals.
Lee’s story allowed the athletes to see how she integrated her knowledge of global facilities into her gym. The team got to immerse themselves in the local culture and work with girls who looked up to them and were ready to learn.
The trip to Singapore was a rewarding experience for the gymnasts. It allowed them to learn about starting a gym and the importance of maintaining passion in their work.
These are memories the athletes will carry with them for a lifetime, remembering how they shaped the athletic trajectory of girls across the globe.
“It’s so much fun and so rewarding to be able to see you make the change, even if it's something small or different,” Frazier said.
Contact Nicole Scura at nscura@alligator.org. Follow her on X @NicoleScuraa.
Nicole Scura is a third-year journalism student in her second semester at The Alligator. She is currently a sports enterprise reporter and previously served as a hockey reporter. In her free time, she enjoys figure skating, traveling and watching football (Go Bucs!).
