Gymnasts to host ‘Night of Stars’
By Tina Foreman
Farmer Staff Writer
If you’re looking for some great entertainment with a few flips and kicks in it, then you won’t want to miss the 23rd annual Badlands Gymnastics Club’s ‘Night of Stars,’ which will be held at 6 p.m. on Saturday, April 9 in the Watford City High School Gymnasium.
This year’s show which is all about ‘Rockstar’ Gymnastics will center around popular songs that everyone is sure to enjoy.
“This will be the organization’s 23rd year of putting on the ‘Night of Stars’ and it will once again be an entertaining show for young and old alike,” says Brandi Hecker, Badlands Gymnastics Club secretary.
The club has 60 active gymnasts in four levels. The youngest group is the Tiny Tots which begin as young as three years old. As students get a little older, they advance into the Beginners class and then the Intermediate group. For those gymnasts who wish to become competitive and show off their skills outside the gym, there is the Advanced/Show Team.
The ‘Night of Stars’ will showcase team events from each group as well as individual and dual events from gymnasts ranging in age from three to 16.
“Gymnastics provides a great opportunity for young people in our community,” adds Hecker. “Students learn flexibility, coordination, socialization, self-discipline and teamwork. Gymnastics instills in young people the importance of exercise in relation to physical and emotional well-being. It also provides a unique opportunity to meet new friends and have lots of fun.”
According to Hecker, the past year has been a very eventful one for the Badlands Gymnastics Club.
“The Show Team entertained audiences at two home basketball games and also made appearances during the Girls District Basketball Tournament,” comments Hecker. “The group took an active fundraising role last summer selling snow cones and cotton candy during the McKenzie County Fair. Then in the fall, they were busy selling cookie dough throughout Watford City.”
Although the gymnasts have been busy raising funds throughout the year, the annual ‘Night of Stars’ is the club’s main fundraiser for the year.
“The Badlands Gymnastics Club, a parent-run organization, relies heavily on the support of local businesses, parents and other patrons,” adds Hecker. “Without their support, an organization such as this would not be possible.”
The current Badlands Gymnastics program runs for seven months of the year, with sessions beginning in October and concluding with the ‘Night of Stars’ in April.
The Badlands Gymnastics Club is directed by Renae Lindley. The Advanced/Show Team is coached by Lindley and Lori Headings. The Beginners/Intermediate group is coached by Lindley, Headings and Ardyce Alveshere. The Tiny Tots are coached by Alveshere, and the Competition Team, which is in its fifth year, is coached by Tonya Schoepp and Lindley.
Tickets for the performance are available at the door.