High School Senior Series

MR: How long have you been doing gymnastics for and what is your favorite event?

SV: I have been a gymnast for 9 years. At first, I loved floor, but as I’ve progressed I’ve realized that my favorite event is beam. I love how beam challenges me to use both power and balance.

MR: Before being on the J.O. team, you were on the rec team at Chelsea Piers, and I noticed that you got a lot better really quickly when you joined, did you notice any big changes?

SV: I loved being part of the rec team, but I think that joining the team allowed me to get better quickly because everyone there has a similar goal. All the gymnasts on the team were extremely driven and focused which made me want to grow as a gymnast that much more.

MR: You usually have very graceful, flowy floor routines, one being from swan lake, however, I haven’t seen your most recent floor routine. Could you tell us a little bit about it and what your favorite parts from each of your floor routines are?

SV: I love my current routine. From the choreography to the music it’s very different from what I’m used to. Having floor music from my favorite movie, The Fifth Element, made me really want to step out of my comfort zone and experiment with different movements in my dance. While I have loved all of my routines, my latest stands out to me the most because it helps me portray my personality through dance.

MR: I know you did rhythmic gymnastics in Russia before moving to the US at the age of seven, do you remember any big differences (in coaching style or in the way you practiced, etc.)?

SV: I had a very different experience with rhythmic gymnastics than artistic gymnastics. In Russia, the sport is extremely disciplined and the coaching style is much more direct. While this method of coaching allowed me to learn quickly, I also think it contributed to my hatred of the sport in the later years. I think that rhythmic gymnastics taught me the value of balance. Without the passion for gymnastics it is nearly impossible to succeed and I think that for me personally having such a strict discipline made me lose my passion for the sport.

MR: GymKimChoreo has recently started a series on Body. Was there ever a time that you felt insecure about your body, especially having to wear a leotard all the time? How do you get past any negative thoughts you have about yourself?

SV: There are definitely many times when I feel insecure about my body. Especially, when I have to wear a leotard when I’m feeling bloated or even in general. While it’s really hard to maintain body positivity when I have to wear something so tight and small, I think that having to wear a leotard has actually really helped me. It has forced me to embrace my body for what it is which has significantly minimized my insecurities.

MR: You recently were admitted to Boston University. Are you planning on doing club gymnastics there? Or do you think you are going to try to pursue other interests?

SV: I really love gymnastics and can’t imagine not being a gymnast anymore, but I also want to use my college experience to try new things even if that includes pursuing a different sport. Regardless of which sport I end up choosing, I am really excited to meet new people and stay active.

MR: Do you know what you are going to study in college?

SV: As of right now, I am planning on studying marketing at BU’s Questrom School of Business, but I haven’t completely decided if I want to pursue this major or explore something different.

MR: You are a part of the IB program (a very rigorous college curriculum similar to AP's, however, you receive a separate "International Baccalaureate" diploma when you graduate) at your high school, how hard has it been for you to balance training 6 days a week with keeping up with your schoolwork?

SV: Balancing school and gymnastics has been extremely difficult, but has also helped me in a way. Having years of experience balancing school and gymnastics allowed me to have plenty of practice with time management and focus which I was able to use in 11th and 12th grade with the IB program. If it hadn’t been for the time management I had to learn with gymnastics, I don’t think I would be able to complete my school work as effectively or efficiently.

MR: Are there any senior traditions you are looking forward to (hopefully) happening? Either at the gym or in school?

SV: Though everything is still up in the air, I am really looking forward to graduation at The Met at the end of this year. This year has been very tough both for me academically and for everyone as a whole and I am just hopeful that I can leave my school and New York on a happy note.