Not only do they defy gravity with their impeccable gymnastic skills, they defy the odds with a smile on their faces. Last month, Palmetto students Megan Fernandez, Michelle Mazzacane and Kristen Santalo attended the Florida State Fall Classic for Special Olympics at the ESPN Wide World of Sports complex in Orlando. With help from their coaches Lauren Petrick and her staff at LEAP South Florida and Ms. Sandra Tilton at Miami Palmetto Senior High, all three girls were able to bring home Palmetto’s first Special Olympics gymnastic titles.

Junior Megan Fernandez competed in level B and earned gold medals in floor exercise, beam, bars and all-around and a bronze medal for vault. Junior Michelle Mazzacane also competed in level B and earned gold medals in floor exercise, vault, bars and all-around and a bronze medal in beam. Senior Kristen Santalo competed in level 2 and earned a gold medal in bars, a silver medal in all-around, bronze medals in vault and beam and 4^th place in floor exercise.

“I have done gymnastics since I was thirteen-years-old,” Fernandez said. “I was nervous and the anticipation was crazy. My family came to support me and they made posters. They were very proud and that made me really happy.”

Senior Paavlena Madhivanan also participated in the Special Olympics swimming category. At the event, she qualified for the Down’s Syndrome World Championships for swimming in Morelia, Mexico where she placed 9^th overall in free-style and backstroke.

“This participation and excellence at the Florida State Fall Classic for Special Olympics proves that Palmetto is a school for everyone and all students have the ability to flourish here,” Principal Allison Harley said. “I am unbelievably proud of these students and they represent the best of Palmetto.”

Their teacher, Ms. Tilton, devotes her time and energy to providing the upmost paramount opportunities for her students. She has taught at Palmetto for the past 5 years.

“I think I was more excited than they were about their placements,” Tilton said. “It takes hard work and determination to memorize a routine and compete in these games. This has been a learning experience for me as well. The girls are extremely talented and root for me as well.”