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| Tia Orlando Alpha Factor Relationship Manager Region 1 |
At the age of 2 I
started dancing at my mother’s studio, Pennsport School of Dance, located in
South Philadelphia. I absolutely loved it, until we started incorporating gymnastics into the class and realized that I no longer wanted to be a
ballerina, I wanted to be a gymnast. At the age of 3 my parents brought me to a
gym in New Jersey called Cherry Hill Gymnastics, and I became absolutely obsessed
with the sport. Competing in level 5 was not what I had hoped for however, and
I was not this superstar I imagined myself to be. I was lucky to even receive a
medal, but I still craved and loved competing. The summer of 1998 I attended a gymnastics
camp in Allentown, Pennsylvania at Parkettes Gymnastics and it was there that
my Olympic dream was born.
I was 10 years old,
and when I returned home from camp I sat down with my parents and let them know
that I had to train at Parkettes. If that meant moving to Pennsylvania, then that
is what I had to do. Deep down I knew I could make the Olympic Team if I just
got the opportunity. After many discussions, I packed my bags and moved to Pennsylvania
with my grandmother. Eventually, my parents wanted the family to be together,
and so they uprooted my sister and brother and moved to Pennsylvania so I could
follow my dream.
Once at Parkettes,
I moved up the ranks quickly, and before I knew it I was a home-schooled, elite
gymnast on the National Team. I competed for the USA from 2000- 2004, and
traveled the world. I brought home medals, and was even congratulated by the
President for helping the team win gold in Santo Domingo. My Olympic dream was shattered
in 2004 when I broke my foot at Olympic Trials, and I realized that all the years
of hard work had come to an end. I sometimes still wonder what my life would be
like if I had been able to compete in the 2004 Olympics, but I know through my
beliefs there was a different path laid out for me.
I continued on to
compete for Arizona State University and graduate with a Bachelor’s degree in
communication. I sit here now as working professional and know that gymnastics gave
me so much more than my medals, it made me the person I am today. I still have
fans let me know that I have made an impact on their daughter’s lives, and that
is something that means the world to me. As your Relationship Manager I not
only want to help create the perfect leotard for you and your team, but I also
strive to share the love of the sport with you and your athletes.
I look forward to working with you!
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