Centenary Gymnastics Community Service Involvement
We are the Centenary Ladies. We will uphold the legacy of Centenary Gymnastics and strive to be inspirational leaders for past, present and future teams. We will encourage and support each other in our individual and team growth towards becoming the best version of ourselves. We will build a positive, respectful, and reliable atmosphere throughout our community. We create a strong foundation for our belief system by staying true to these core values:
· Passion
· Loyalty
· Perseverance
This is the MISSION of Centenary Gymnastics.
Mothers Against Drunk Driving
Walk Like MADD 2023
Each year the Centenary Gymnastics team hosts Walk Like MADD to honor Sylvia Keiter’s memory as well as bring awareness to the dangers of drinking and driving. This year we had over 150 in-person attendees in addition to multiple NCAA gymnastics teams- University of Wisconsin Lacrosse, University of Bridgeport, University of Maryland, University of New Hampshire, Yale University, University of Arizona, Texas Women’s University, and Talladega College. Thank you to all participants for making this year another success!
Words from Head Coach Margaret Crowley:
“Thank you all for coming out today. This is a very important cause to the Centenary Ladies Gymnastics team, and we really appreciate you all's support today.
Today we walk the Centenary Mile to raise awareness and support for Mothers Against Driving Drunk or MADD. So why is this cause important to us?
5.5 years ago, Sylvia Keiter, a Centenary Gymnastics alumnus, was driving to Dallas late at night. There was a car stopped on the side of the road, so Sylvia, being Sylvia, pulled over and her and her boyfriend went out to help them. While they were helping, a drunk driver swerved off the road and hit her. She died on the scene.
Now many of you here don’t know Sylivia, and this may be the first time you have heard your story. The same was true for our newcomer gymnast, so this past Saturday night I took some time during our Roll Call to share her story. I was fortunate enough to be on the team with Sylvia for 2 years during my time at Centenary. Sylvia was an amazing person and had a profound positive impact on each and every person that she came into contact with. She was a motivator, hard worker and had a never give up mentality. There are many amazing things about her, but one of my favorites was her ability to make that never give up mentality infectious to everyone around her on the team and then post-graduation in her CrossFit community. She helped people believe in themselves and achieve things for themselves they didn’t think were possible. After I finished sharing about Sylvia, some of the team spoke about what Sylvia means to them and why it’s important to us that we remember her. Claire shared something that really struck me. It was about how the more she learned about Sylvia, the more she realized the importance of legacy. Sylvia, someone she has never met, has had an impact on Claire’s life. It really struck me that we all, Each and every one of us has the ability to leave a legacy or an impact.
So, while you are walking today, I want you to think about what kind of legacy you want to leave? How would you want to be remembered? 10 years from now when people reflect back on their time at Centenary, how do you want them to remember you? Do your actions today reflect the type of person you want to be? If yes, then keep at it! If not, then that’s ok because tomorrow is a new day, and you get to choose what kind of impact you want to have on those around you.
Now before we walk, I want everyone to repeat after me:
I will not operate a motor vehicle while impaired because that goes against the legacy I am trying to create.”
Memoirs of Sylvia Keiter
“Sylvia was someone who could just light up a room with just her smile. My favorite memories of her were just our everyday interactions in the gym and around campus. She would be the loudest person cheering for you in the gym, during strength workouts or out on the track running. Hearing her cheer for you would make you feel like the greatest athlete and that you could do anything with her in your corner. And the giant bear hugs she would give made you feel like the most loved human on earth. Sylvia was the most amazing teammate and loyal friend anyone could have ever asked for. Her love for life, her joyful personality, and incredible smile will live on forever.” Megan Z. Keys
"I only met Sylvia a handful of times but let me tell you, Sylvia never met a stranger! It did not matter that Sylvia only knew my name, she was in the corner cheering and screaming for me for my floor routine at a home meet! She was such a bright spirit and loved everyone she met even if it was only a handful of times! The stories I heard about Sylvia at my time at Centenary were so inspirational and made me strive to be a better gymnast, teammate, and person and still do to this day!" Jenny Jackson
"I have so many memories of Sylvia dancing and laughing and being a big goof in the gym at meets. And I remember her so fondly being my coach too and her words of encouragement. I remember her as being someone who could live for herself, and was able to deal with consequences of doing so not worrying sometimes to break a few rules along the way. She could be so in the moment. I remember her seeking tutoring when she needed help and being willing to learn and try again. I have a very good memory of her before bars at a home meet with LSU when the crowd was LOUD and more eyes than ever before were in the Gold Dome, saying that I deserved to be deep in the lineup on bars as a sophomore because I was a "Rock Star" and that she knew I was going to hit my routine and that I didn't need to worry about a single thing in my routine. I'll remember her uplifting attitude and energy. I'll always remember her calling me a rock star and now that felt. It was such a special moment." Allison Scates