Ever since I started Y-kids I felt beyond welcomed by everyone there, and it was the best part of summer and something to look forward to every day. Coming in the doors and the welcome desk person saying “Hi Izzy” and knowing my name was the best. Being able to go swimming and all of the above just made summer even better.
Then going to Zumba by myself at a very young age made me interested in joining dance – outside of Zumba at the Y.
4th grade to 7th grade the Y was the place to go every day with friends and play basketball. During the summer of 8th grade going to Pilates or the classes at the Y to get exercise made me even more motivated to go, as it was nice being with every age group and not just teenagers.
In the summer of 2022, I started to go to yoga classes at the Y, and it truly helped me with my mental health – yoga truly helped me a lot that summer.
Then just over a year now lifting in the weight room meeting new people and becoming close to them motivates you to go even more!
And now seeing my younger brother get to experience the things I got to when I was his age at the Y makes me even more happy.
I’ve been in dance for 13 years with First Street Dance Academy. I am a senior this year and looking forward to graduation!
“The YMCA is a place for everyone. Everyone there is always so positive and friendly and welcoming and that’s why I love the YMCA”.
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We’ve enjoyed seeing you grow over the years from a young, shy, little, dancing Zumba girl to where you are today.
Thanks, Izzy for sharing your story!
