The 2012 Olympics are just days away and gyms across Southeast Texas are filled with kids aspiring to show off their skills on the ultimate main stage.
With the 2012 Olympic games opening ceremony this weekend one local gymnastics center is helping aspiring Olympians go for the gold.
"Give the kids a sense of what the Olympics is about," said gymnastics coach Mark Keffer.
The Health & Happiness Gymnastics Center in Vidor is hosting a summer camp that gives children the opportunity to get their first taste of the Olympic games right here in Southeast Texas.
With gymnastics being one of the top watched events in the Olympics kids here locally spend hours in the gym everyday, perfecting their skills, trying to achieve their ultimate goal.
"I've always wanted to go the Olympics," said gymnast Angel Moye.
For the past ten years Moye has been dedicated to perfecting her craft spending 20 hours in the gym, five days a week, working to compete like the pros.
"I see the girls do what they do and I know if I try really, really hard I could do it too," said Moye.
And for Moye and the rest of the Olympic hopefuls, summer camps like these are a great springboard to land a spot in the big leagues.
"Your parents have to be behind you 100 percent to do this sport," said Moye's mom Theresa Moye.
Behind every competitive athlete there's a competitive parent.
"I cry a lot when she competes but then I also get mad when I think she didn't do something right, you could've done better but you tried your best," said mother Moye.
And after trying her best and succeeding in competitions around the state Moye has some advice for other gymnasts.
"Never give up, no matter how hard it gets, keep trying," she said.
Life lessons that anyone can live by whether you're trying to head to the world's stage or simply watch.
If you've got a mini aspiring Olympian at home here in Beaumont and want them to begin their journey for the gold Olympic Dreams and Beaumont Gymnastics Academy offer classes year round as well.
And be sure to catch the opening ceremonies for the 2012 Olympics on Friday on K-JAC your NBC.
