Abilities from Interests Grow
NEW ABILITIES
If, over time, we help those who wish to explore - interesting next steps may be possible.
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- - - - - Some Examples 2019, Brunswick High School - - - -
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In the early nineties, in metro west Boston, energy & ideas evolved with track & field and gymcraftics.
Shannon went to Bates College & brought women's pole vault with her.
A new project began when juniors, Shannon Walker, Alissa White and several others asked if they could learn to pole vault. They saw the boys vaulting on their high school team . In response to their request, I said, “let me ask the other coaches”. They said ok, and, we began. In her senior year, Shannon was determined to be the first girl to vault in a high school meet. It happened in 1993. Alissa was busy becoming the State triple jump champion. In 1994 on an Athlete / Coach Exchange Trip that we took Shannon vaulted 11' at a meet at Stoke-on-Trent in the UK.
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Alissa went to Middlebury
She played soccer and kept in touch with Shannon during vacations and on the soccer field. Then, in October of her sophomore year, Alissa called. “Remember when you said you’d come here and help me pole vault if I wanted to? Well, I want to vault in college and do gymcraftics again.” About six weeks later, I went to Middlebury to do a weekend workshop. It began with a gymcraftics balancing session. Sitting across the circle from me was a friend of Alissa’s, pole-vaulter, Murray Harris. Beside him was his dad, Lee, an original member of the Pilobolus Dance Company that began at Dartmouth College in the 1970’s.
Over the years I have taken students to see them perform. Their work has been a dynamic model for our evolving gymcraftics program. Thus, began my serious effort with Alissa. She vaulted over 11’ in college; won the first collegiate Women’s Pole Vault at the Penn Relays. She became the Swedish Women’s Pole Vault record holder. in 1996-97. In June of 2000, she completed her Masters Degree at the University of Stockholm, in International Economics. After Alissa, so much has happened to develop girls and women's pole vault. During the decade from 2000 – 2010. How could we have imagined that so much was possible?
From high school to college age students, growth in pole vaulting and related activities has grown over the last twenty years. The group photo above shows Alissa White on the far right with the Air Time Athletics Group at Ulevi Stadium during a trip to Sweden in 2003: L>R Sophia Romeri, Fiona Romeri, Jan Carlson, Anna McFarlane, Ashley Nolet, Valerie Thompson & Alissa.
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1st Women's Pole Vault at Meets across US 1996 -97
1st US HS Vaulters
The 1st Penn Relays W Pole Vault
Pole Vaulters at Natick, Mass Air Time Athletics Practice site.
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Each person is unique and needs an individualized learning process.
Ben Vik
Melissa Feinstein
Andrea Stuermer
Zack Robbins
