In addition to already being advanced more than a full year ahead in school, Tarah began going to the next grade up for math as well.  It was her favorite subject.  In the fall, she was invited by the district to join the state-funded gifted program, ELP (Extended Learning Program), which ran once a week for those select students who faired well above the average on National Standardized Tests. This program would continue for Tarah throughout grade school and end up being her most favorite day of the week.  On these days, she was almost always on time (early even!) to school, contrary to the other weekdays where she was often late due to the over-powering and tempting demands of the “Sesame Street” sagas that she followed each morning to the last possible minute.  Her brother, excited about his growing new companion, wasted no time teaching her to play Chess and other mind-strategy games he liked to play.          

        By the time summer came, she was doing ten hours of gymnastics plus five hours of dance per week.  She performed at Disneyland (this and every year after, for the next six years) and was invited (because of her determination and hard work) by the Ballet Mistress to perform…yes…“The Nutcracker!” Officially, as mentioned previously, she was still two years too young to be a company member (according to the organization’s previous stipulations), but an exception was made for Tarah because of her skill level and performance ablilities.  In Gymnastics, the new USGF (United States Gymnastics Federation) “Levels” system motivated a gym change from Desert Devils to The Arizona Academy of Gymnastics (under Roe Kreutzer and Lisa Spini).  Round-off back-handspring back-tuck combo, front flip, and back-layout on floor, plus back-handsprings on Balance Beam were just some of her many skills.  Now, the USGF doesn't typically allow children to even compete in sanctioned meets until the age of seven. However, at six, Tarah proved she was composed enough to compete and could handle the pressure and the routines, so she was allowed special permission to participate a year early.  Marcy’s prediction was coming true.  At her first intra-gymnastics competition, she won Floor exercise, and got the Silver in the All-Around.

      To browse a new page