2024 Acrofest
“My favorite part about Acrofest is that it is not a competition. My favorite part is that everyone performs their skills and hypes everyone else up.” This is what Corbin Schlinser said when asked what the best part of Acrofest was. This November, Corbin will be attending his fourth AcroFest. “I will never forget my first AcroFest. The adrenaline and people are amazing.” On November 5, the Union Gymnaires will again pack up their wrist tape and acro shoes and board the Union bus. They, along with fifteen Adventist high schools and six universities, will head down south to Keene, Texas. Southwestern Adventist University is hosting this year’s Acrofest, continuing this 34-year legacy. Union has attended AcroFest every single year since its beginning.
About two months ago, our Gymnaires began preparing for this moment. They have trained long hours in the new Reiner Wellness Center facility as well as in the Thunderdome. Skills such as tosses, three highs, hand-to-hands, and tumbling have been practiced and mastered. Everything they have been working towards will be put to the test in a four-minute and fifteen-second routine that will be showcased on Saturday night, November 9. When asked about their readiness, it was said that they feel prepared and equipped to put on a good show. Ella Foster, a three-time attendee, talked a little bit about the upcoming event. She said that the Gymnaires’ routine has some elements that have not been practiced yet, and it will be determined in the next week if certain skills will be able to be performed. Other than that, the overall excitement of the team is bursting. It was mentioned that the whole team has embraced the choreography and a favorite skill is the butterfly tumbling sequence. They hope these skills will stand out from the crowd.
Yonathan Suarez, a soon-to-be graduate with a Bachelor’s in Theology, said this when asked about the upcoming Acrofest: “I’m looking forward to seeing old gymnastics friends again and meeting the next generation of youngins who will keep the gymnastics legacy going.” Acrofest is something special, something so different from any other gathering of Adventists. The biggest difference is the way everyone is able to interact. Each university is paired with a few different high schools for the weekend. This gives all the students involved a chance to build community with people outside of their school all while practicing and performing gymnastics skills. It is an opportunity to build relationships with people they would not have otherwise met.
The Gymnaires are ready. The practice and dedication are about to pay off. Be sure to not miss out on this awesome event by watching and cheering for your Gymnaires online!
by Sami Hoffer