Partial YMCA Scholarship Helps Jessica Get Rolling in Gymnastics

Jessica Rejano-Mojarro is learning how to land on her feet with the gymnastics program at the Glendale YMCA.

The 6-year-old took a tumble last fall, after her father left home and her sister was born with a blood infection requiring repeated hospitalizations.

Jessica began falling behind in her schoolwork, said her mother, Carmela, 31. The family entered counseling.

“At home, we can’t always have a good time with her, or give her enough attention,” her mother said. “We needed something for her, away from home.”

But Carmela Rejano-Mojarro thought that scraping together enough money for classes would be impossible. Then the Glendale YMCA offered a partial scholarship for classes and a youth membership.

“Jessica was dying to do something. She never had an extracurricular activity before,” said Craig Cerro, YMCA director of operations.

The Edison Elementary first-grader knew she wanted to take gymnastics. Two years ago, she cavorted in the living room, imitating agile athletes at the Atlanta Olympics. She began taking Saturday gymnastics classes in April.

“It’s fun. I like doing bridges,” said Jessica, referring to a move in which she arches backward while balancing on her hands and feet.

During the summer, about 150 tumblers and cart-wheelers a month take instruction at the YMCA. For $55 a month, the agile athletes take biweekly lessons in a gym outfitted with a trampoline, parallel bars, horse, beams, a practice floor and other apparatus. Financial assistance is available.

During the summer, the YMCA adds a bevy of special programs: weeklong camps at Catalina Island, day camps, summer basketball and recreational swimming at Glendale’s Pacific Park pool.

Rejano-Mojarro said she hopes someday that her family can give another child the same opportunity to explore.

“She’s putting all her heart, and all her effort into this,” said Rejano-Mojarro of Jessica.

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Wish List

Glendale YMCA

(818) 240-4120

* Basketballs: $15 each

* Uniforms: $16 each

* Paint: $3 each

* Markers: $4.50 for a 10-pack

* Poster paper: $30 for 5 rolls

* Lanyard lacing: $1.50 per roll