The Spark!

November 2025

A Note from the Director

Dear Parents,

October flew by and now we are halfway through November. We are busy here making preparations for our Gymnastics Team in-house meet in December, working on choreography for our Winter Dance Concert in January, enrolling our current students for the Winter/Spring semester, hosting birthday parties, and offering K-Pop Demon Hunters pop up dance classes.

Quarterly in The Spark, we highlight students who have spent many of their childhood years taking our classes and have essentially grown up with us. This summer, I had the idea that we should do an issue on current students that also volunteer or work with us. These students are now sharing their own passions and joys with the youngest students and learning additional skills. The youngest students also really love connecting with our older students. I remember assisting at my dance studio when I was a teenager and I gained so much from the experience. I hope you enjoy their stories.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Warm Wishes,
Katie Kheel

Fall 2025 Calendar

Discovery Announcements
Holiday Closing Dates:
November 27-30
December 20-January 4

Priority Registration is open through Friday, November 5th!
Re-enroll in your child’s current class.

Winter/
Spring 2026 Calendar

Student Spotlight

Nora

Nora is 16 and is in the Silver level of USAIGC team. She started at Discovery as a Pre-Team gymnast when she was 8-years-old.

Discovery has taught Nora so many valuable skills that she has carried into other parts of her life. Nora shares that, “through gymnastics, I’ve built patience, discipline, confidence, and a strong work ethic. These qualities help me stay motivated each day and push me to reach my goals, even outside the gym.”

Nora appreciates the friendships and sense of community at Discovery. She loves how they all take the time to celebrate each other’s victories — whether somebody gets a new skill at practice or scores over a 9 at a competition. Nora says, “I remember doing my layout full twist on floor for the first time, and the entire gym filled with cheers. It was such a joyful moment, and I feel like every gymnast at Discovery has experienced that same feeling of accomplishment at some point.”

Nora’s mom shares that “she has learned to trust herself, grown stronger both mentally and physically, and has become a more confident version of herself through gymnastics. It’s been amazing to see her passion and dedication for the sport grow with each year, and now she has now taken the next step by coaching younger gymnasts.”

Nora has really enjoyed working as an assistant coach and has found it incredibly rewarding so far. She loves seeing the growth of the gymnasts firsthand. “Over time, I’ve watched the three-year-old gymnasts become so much more focused and eager to participate in classes.” Coaching at Discovery has allowed Nora to learn from head coaches and apply what she’s learned from her own experiences as a gymnast.

Elin

Elin is 14 and is also in the Silver level of USAIGC team. She started at Discovery when she was 5-years-old on Pre-Team. Over the summer, she volunteered as an Assistant Coach in our recreational gymnastics camp.

According to Elin, “I enjoy hanging out with little kids in general because they always have the most interesting things to say — and they aren’t afraid to say them. Coaching the 5 and 6 year olds this summer was super rewarding because gymnastics is something I care a lot about, and it’s awesome seeing other kids grow to love it as much as I do.” It reminded Elin of her time in gymnastics camp when she first started at Discovery!

Being on the gymnastics team has taught Elin how to focus on her own performance and do the best she can, while also being able to step back and support her teammates — and she knows they’ll do the same for her.

Elin shares, “some of my favorite memories from the gym are watching my teammates finally get skills they’ve been working on for a while, and getting to see them overcome mental blocks. Probably my favorite competition memory is traveling to Florida for Worlds and going to Disney with the whole team.”

Elin’s parents’ favorite memories are of her working hard to master skills that were initially difficult for her. When she was on Copper 2, she struggled to clear the vault mat stack! Elin’s mom shares, “I think the first time she ever succeeded was at the Winter Showcase and the whole gym erupted in cheers. This past spring, it was exciting to watch the three Silver girls who were able to compete at the Regionals meet hit all of their routines and perform so well against much bigger teams.”

According to Elin’s parents, “through gymnastics, I think Elin has learned about strength, determination, and persistence. She has come to realize that not every day can be the day you nail the new skill or get the high score, but by putting effort in consistently (even through global pandemics – see picture), you can improve and become skilled at something.”

TJ

TJ is 14 and earned his black belt in May 2025. He is an assistant teacher in the orange/white and blue belt karate classes.

According to TJ’s parents, “TJ always enjoyed athletic activities from the time he could walk. We tried an introductory karate class at a local studio and it peaked his interest. Then he met Kyoshi Karin and his passion for karate blossomed. She was patient but rigorous, kind but stern and TJ thrived.” Like Elin and many of our teenaged students, TJ also persevered through the pandemic with virtual and outdoor classes before coming back indoors.

TJ loves working with kids because since he has been through the first steps of karate, he knows how to make it as easy and fun as possible for them. “My job is to help, but also to make them feel like karate is another home for them. I want to make an impact on younger kids to grow up in the best way possible. All I want to do is make them feel brave, strong and feel like they matter.” Since TJ’s first day, every time he walks into the building and sees all the people, it makes him so happy.

TJ’s parents share that one of their favorite memories was watching their family watch him. Most of them had never seen him practice, even after all of these years. They were overwhelmed and so proud of him.