Zara C.
7th Grade Student
Zara started doing gymnastics when she was a one-year-old in diapers — and the Great Lakes Learning Academy student is still at it. In fact, Zara is so passionate about the sport, the Michigan resident joined an elite gymnastics team in Ohio, where she and her mom, Kelley, live four days a week.
Top Gymnasts Need Great Flexibility
Zara and Kelley credit our school’s flexible approach to education with helping her pursue her gymnastics. Zara trains six hours a day, tries to complete two school lessons on both Saturday and Sunday, and travels to many different states for competitions.
According to Kelley, “Zara has a bucket of medals. Last year she won first place in the state championships for level-nine gymnasts and second place overall. ... Her vision board includes going to colleges like Florida and UCLA … and the 2032 Olympics in Brisbane.”
Learning Is More Important Than Grades
Says Kelley, “Zara says the learning log is the ‘best thing in the world.’ In science she had a C+ and turned in her learning log, and it jumped to an A. I think it’s wonderful because it makes students go back and relearn what they didn’t understand to begin with. The point isn’t about grades, it’s about actually learning, and we love that.”
When asked to name her favorite subject, Zara replied, “Math. It’s just fun.” Who are her favorite gymnasts? Simone Biles and Jordan Chiles.
Aside from gymnastics, Zara is working on starting her own lip gloss line called “Z-lips”. She always uses lip gloss, so her mom suggested she try making it. They’re still working on scents, color, and glitter and hope to eventually have an online Etsy store. Go Zara!
“You scared? Just GO!”
— What Zara tells herself to overcome mental blocks
