Iron Cross Foundation - Scholarships

Johnny Jacobson

Below is Johnny's essay on his Gymnastics Dreams.
(These essays are submitted as part of the Scholarship application.)

My Gymnastics Dreams
By: Johnny Jacobson (Click here for PDF)

My name is Johnny Jacobson and gymnastics is my life. I have been in gymnastics for 8 years, and am now a 13-year-old, first year level 9, gymnast. I started at North Davis Gymnastics when I was 5. But my mom says she could feel me tumbling before I was even born. I train for about 22 hours a week and spend more time at the gym than at home. I love gymnastics, it has taught me a lot of life lessons, and someday I hope to be able to give back to the sport somehow.

Gymnastics has taught me many things. A few things that really stand out are; that getting frustrated with something only makes it worse, and how important it is to make goals and to never give up, even when it’s hard and you can’t get it the first, or second or even the 100^th time. It has also taught me how to interact better with my peers and family. Another thing is that it has kept me in shape, and stopped me from resorting to a life of crime or at least from sitting around being lazy.

One of my goals this year, is to make the Region Team and to go to Nationals. Since this is my first year as a level 9, I know it won’t be easy. Last year, when I went to Regionals as a level 7, I took 4^th All Around, and a 1^st on Rings. This year I’ve been working twice as hard, and hope to be even better than last year. Going to Nationals this year would be amazing, because it will give me the chance to compete at a higher level and work out with the best in our nation. That would be awesome!

It is also one of my dreams to be able to have my family see me compete in the higher-level events. On all of the bigger out-of-state competitions my family was un-able to go and I drove or flew with my coach. My family has given up so much just to help me. It would be so exciting for me to have them there sharing my accomplishments and cheering me on.

Next week my coach and I will be moving to USA Gymnastics World in Bountiful, Utah. It is really exiting and a big step for me. I am so lucky to have such a great coach. I know he loves and cares about me. He always seems to know just what it takes to make me do my best. He has taught me how to work hard, show respect, pay attention to details and always give 100%. I know these things have made me a better person and will help me all through my life. Someday I want to be that kind of coach. I would love to own a gym that kids could afford and still have a really good coach.

Gymnastics is really hard and sometimes frustrating. But every time you get a new skill or nail a routine you get closer to making your dreams come true and that makes it all worth it.

-Johhny