Sophomore Gymnast Climbs the Rankings

Name: Margaux Scandura

Grade: Sophomore

Height: 4’ 11”

Hair Color: Light Brown

Eye Color: Green

Date of Birth: August 17, 2006

1. When and how did you get into gymnastics? How long have you been on the ​​Felines, the Stuyvesant gymnastics team?

I started doing gymnastics when I was around five or six years old. I went to my friend’s gymnastics birthday party at Chelsea Piers, and I really enjoyed it, so I decided to join the team there. However, I have only been on the Stuyvesant team for a few months, since November.

2. Do you participate on an outside team, and how does your experience on the Stuyvesant team differ?

Yes, I am still at Chelsea Piers and am now a level eight. The Stuyvesant team is definitely more relaxed than my club team, and I have more of my own freedom with my routines and skills I do on the Felines.

3. What events do you specialize in?

I do all the events, so I don’t really specialize in a specific one. But my best and favorite event is definitely bars. Bars has just always felt most natural to me in comparison to the other events.

4. What inspired you to join the gymnastics team here at Stuyvesant?

I knew a senior who does club gymnastics and was on the Stuyvesant team as well, and she actually encouraged me to join. She told me that the team was a lot more collaborative than club gymnastics, which sounded really nice.

5. Do you have a most memorable/proud moment with the Stuyvesant gymnastics team?

Actually, it was just last Wednesday. We broke the all time record high scoring for Stuyvesant in gymnastics. It was really exciting to be a part of that.

6. What is your strategy for constantly improving yourself (specific routines, exercises, etc.)?

I visualize a lot, meaning I go over my routines and any skills I am scared of in my head. I also go to a sports psychologist, and he definitely helps me find ways to help me calm down when competing or doing certain skills.

7. What’s one of the biggest obstacles you’ve faced while doing gymnastics?

Honestly, I am very insecure about my gymnastics. I am constantly competing against my teammates, so I am always being compared to other people. This type of competition has always been the hardest part and has affected me both inside and outside of gymnastics.

8. How do you think the Stuyvesant gymnastics team has changed you as a gymnast/person?

The Stuyvesant team has definitely made gymnastics more fun for me. I forgot how it feels to unconditionally support your teammates and do what you want to do and do it because you love it, as opposed to doing it because you need to get to the next level. Being on the team has reminded me why I really love this sport.

9. What do you see yourself accomplishing in your next few years as a part of the Stuyvesant gymnastics team?

I want to up my difficulty of my skills on the Stuyvesant team, as they are not the same level of difficulty as my club routines. The equipment is very different, and I want to further adapt and, by my senior year, be able to win city championships. My friend on my club team has won in previous years, and it will be really fun to aim to win too.

10. Are there any short-term goals you’d like to accomplish in the next months going into the last few competitions of the season?

Yes, definitely. The team finals and the individual finals are coming up, and as a team, I really want Stuyvesant to score in the top four. As an individualist, I also want to place in the top four.

Funniest Teammate? Agatha Nyarko

Favorite Food: Ice Cream

Favorite Drink: Lemonade

Favorite Class: Foundations of Literature

Hobbies Beside Sports: Reading

Favorite Movie(s) or Show(s): “Criminal Minds”