Spectacular Kids of Athens County: Kristen Masada, 12
By Danaline McPhail Bryant
August 7, 2008
Kristen Masada is a gifted gymnast, a pianist who loves ragtime music, and a techie who manages her own website. But that’s not all. She’s also a world traveler, having just returned from three weeks in Japan.
Kristen, the daughter of Sandy and Terry Masada of Athens, has been training in gymnastics for years.
“I’ve been involved in gymnastics for about six years. I really like it a lot,” she said.
She practices at Global Gymnastics in Nelsonville and is a member of the gym’s competition team.
“I like gymnastics because there’s so much to it,” Kristen said. “You always have your strengths and weaknesses, so it makes it a challenge.”
She trains and competes in all four types of gymnastic events – floor, vault, beam and bars.
Kristen is an advanced gymnast who is rated at Level 7, the first level where they are allowed to choose their skill sets. This year, for the first time, Kristen’s parents hired a private choreographer to work with her.
This level of gymnastics requires a serious commitment, not only from the gymnast, but also from his or her parents, who must make sure they get to practice sessions and competitive events.
“At my level, you’re required to attend every practice,” Kristen said. “In summer, that’s four days a week. During the school year, it’s three days a week. I don’t participate in other sports because gymnastics takes up so much of my time.”
There are 11 members of the team, ranging in age from seven to 17 years. Kristen says they are all friends now, having spent so much time practicing and competing together. The team competes across Ohio, including Cleveland, Cincinnati, Columbus and Dayton.
A lot of work and time are involved, but Kristen doesn’t mind.
“I really love it,” she said. “I want to go as high as I can.”
She plans to continue training as a gymnast through college. She won’t say if she is aiming for the Olympics, though. With a shy smile, she said, “We’ll see what happens.”
Kristen has taken piano lessons since kindergarten and plays percussion in the school band. Her favorite music to play on the piano is ragtime.
Kristen and her parents recently returned from a three-week visit to Japan.
“We went to see my dad’s parents and cousins,” Kristen said.
She was impressed with the many shrines they visited. She said the visits were times of prayer and reflection. Upon entering or approaching a shrine, Kristen and her family, according to tradition, would either light incense, throw coins in a box or clap hands before praying.
Kristen, a vegetarian, sometimes had a hard time finding something to eat when they ate at traditional Japanese restaurant..
“They eat a lot of fish and meat over there,” she said. “And it was hard for me, because I couldn’t read the menu.”
One fun part of the trip was going to the many summer street festivals.
“Almost every street holds a festival, and I went to a lot of them,” she said. “There are games to play, and I won fireworks by playing a ring toss.”
Her favorite item purchased on the trip is a traditional kimono.
“It’s called a yuka summer kimono, and it’s black with pink flowers, and it’s so beautiful,” she said. “I wore it to a family banquet and to one of the festivals.”
Her favorite part of the trip was spending time with her grandparents and cousins, and she looks forward to going back. The family may return for another visit next year.
And then there’s her website, Webkinzmaniaforum.com.
“Webkins are stuffed animals. You can buy clothes for them. I have about 70,” she said.
Her website is part of a community of online Webkins fans. It provides a place to celebrate the cute and cuddly critters and to get to know other Webkins collectors. Maintaining the website has given Kristen many new skills.
“It’s something you learn,” she said. “If I want to manage a website in the future I will have this experience,” she said.
Kristen hasn’t decided what she will do after high school. For now, she’s enjoying all her activities, while maintaining all A’s during the school year.
“And I’m excited about going to middle school,” she said with another shy smile. “I’m taking all honors classes and Spanish. It’s going to be fun.”
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