For Diamond Bar High School senior Kaitlyn Asawesna, flipping on beams and jumping across bars has become a normal daily activity. After quitting dance at the age of 8, she was encouraged by her parents to try gymnastics due to her flexibility. Little did she know that the sport she started as a hobby would lead her to achieve a collection of trophies and allow her to become part of a gymnastics team in Chino called Diamond Elite.

“I tried other sports and dance but I didn’t really like it,” she said. “So I just decided to try gymnastics for recreation and then I started to really like it.”

Since she was eleven, Asawesna has competed in various international competitions. In 2013, she finished first in the West Coast Championships and second in the USAIGC World championships. Last year, Asawesna placed third at state but wasn’t able to compete at the USA IGC World Championships because her whole team couldn’t fly to Florida to compete.

“I just love the feeling of competing, I love to win, I love to get medals, so just knowing that I’ll be able to hold titles makes me motivated to keep going.”

Through gymnastics, Asawesna has learned more than just balancing on beams and dancing. She learned to overcome hardships, both mentally and physically. Asawesna is placed at a disadvantage due to her height of 5-foot-6 as the majority of gymnasts are shorter, but she continues to practice strenuously to keep up her reputation as a gymnast.

“Gymnastics is a sport catered to those who are shorter,” she said. “It’s always been difficult for me, but I never let that give me an excuse to quit.”

Practicing 9 to 12 hours a week at the gym, Asawesna has learned to manage her time wisely in order to keep up with her rigorous school work. With all the AP classes she takes, she found ways to keep a balance between both her academics and gymnastics without falling behind in either one of them.

Aside from gymnastics, Asawesna enjoys volunteering and serving the needy when she has time. She has taken part in multiple beach cleanups and homeless food drives. She also brings her dog to elderly care centers to provide therapy for the grandparents. With a student volunteer organization called Global Leadership Adventures, she went to Costa Rica for two weeks to help remodel a local school and now volunteers at the Ronald McDonald house in Orange County to provide care for sick children.

“It feels rewarding and satisfying that I’m able to contribute to the community and impact someone’s life in a positive way,” she said.

As for now, Asawesna has no thoughts of continuing gymnastics during her college career, but will continue to try her best until she graduates DBHS.