In an impressive exhibition of skill and collaboration, St. John’s Institute (Huaming) School, situated in Bacolod City, achieved a remarkable feat by sweeping all the medals in the rhythmic gymnastics competition for the elementary category at the recent Negros Occidental Private Schools Sports Cultural Educational Association (NOPSSCEA) Season 44.
The prestigious rhythmic gymnastics competition unfolded on November 9, 2024, at the well-regarded Eastside Hoops venue, where the dedicated athletes from SJI triumphed in a competitive field, capturing every gold, silver, and bronze medal available in the elementary division.
SJI Sports Coordinator Sheryl Laborte-Tuyo, in conjunction with the school’s renowned Rhythmic Gymnastics Coach Ms. Aleana Grace Buiza, proudly celebrated the extraordinary accomplishments of their gymnasts in the elementary category, emphasizing their commitment to excellence and athleticism.
The St. John’s Institute team not only emerged victorious as the champions but also demonstrated an extraordinary level of talent that left spectators and judges in awe, further solidifying their reputation in the world of rhythmic gymnastics.
Among the standout performers, Alannah Jeanne Lim shone brightly, clinching the coveted Gold Individual All-Around title while also capturing gold in both the Hoop and Rope events. Her precise movements and artistic expression captivated the audience, showcasing her dedication and exceptional skill.
Anastasia Avery Lim also had a commendable performance, earning the Silver Individual All-Around title. She further strengthened SJI’s dominance by securing gold medals in the Ball and Freehand categories, along with silver accolades in both the Hoop and Rope events, affirming her impressive range and capability.
Cielo Dominique Co rounded out the podium sweep for SJI, taking home the Bronze Individual All-Around title. She impressed the judges and audience with her captivating routines, securing bronze medals in the Freehand and Hoop events, thus contributing significantly to her team’s success.
The competition saw spirited participation from eight schools, featuring a remarkable lineup of 18 gymnasts in the elementary division and six gymnasts vying for top spots in the high school category, marking a record-setting turnout for rhythmic gymnastics in NOPSSCEA’s illustrious history.
In the secondary level, Tay Tung School also excelled, showcasing their prowess and dominance in the category while St. John’s Institute proudly claimed a bronze medal that added to the school’s recognition.
Matthea Given Efenio from Tay Tung stood out in the High School category, showcasing her remarkable skill by winning the prestigious Gold Individual All-Around title alongside gold medals in the Ball, Hoop, Clubs, and Ribbon events—a truly breathtaking performance that left a lasting impression.
Meanwhile, Jilian Krishna Dela Cruz, also from Tay Tung, showcased her strength and versatility by securing the Silver Individual All-Around, accompanied by silvers in the Hoop, Ball, Clubs, and Ribbon events, highlighting her competitive spirit.
Kryztahl Jade Manalo of St. John’s Institute notched the bronze medal in the Individual All-Around competition, displaying her talent with bronze medals in the Ball, Hoop, and Clubs events, underscoring her ability to perform under pressure.
Representing Tay Tung at the Palarong Pambansa 2023, Matthea Given Efenio significantly bolstered her accolades by earning a bronze medal in the Individual All-Around, a Silver medal in the Team Secondary Girls event, along with additional gold and silver medals across various apparatus, showcasing her elite abilities.
The competition also spotlighted other gifted gymnasts, including Eliza Julia Guimba from the University of St. La Salle, who achieved a Bronze in the Rope event; Therese Michelle Jimera from Eliakim Learning Center, securing a Bronze in Ball; and Rian Danielle Alcala from Trinity Christian School, who also earned a ribbon in the secondary level, emphasizing the depth of talent present.
The outstanding performances of all participating gymnasts made NOPSSCEA Season 44 a memorable event, celebrating the remarkable individual skills while fostering a spirit of sportsmanship and camaraderie among the schools involved.
### Interview with Sheryl Laborte-Tuyo, Sports Coordinator at St. John’s Institute
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Sheryl! Congratulations on St. John’s Institute’s stunning performance at the NOPSSCEA Season 44 rhythmic gymnastics competition. Can you tell us what it took for the team to achieve such incredible success?
**Sheryl Laborte-Tuyo:** Thank you for having me! Our success at the competition was a result of hard work, dedication, and a strong supportive environment at St. John’s. Our gymnasts train rigorously with Coach Aleana Grace Buiza, who has instilled a drive for excellence in them. This victory reflects the culmination of countless hours of practice and the resilience of our athletes.
**Interviewer:** Absolutely! Alannah, Anastasia, and Cielo’s performances were particularly notable. What can you share about their individual achievements?
**Sheryl Laborte-Tuyo:** Each of them showcased exceptional talent and dedication. Alannah’s Gold Individual All-Around title was a proud moment for all of us. She truly captivated the audience with her precision and artistry. Anastasia also had a fantastic performance, earning the Silver Individual All-Around title and securing gold in Ball and Freehand events. Cielo, rounding out our podium sweep, exhibited great skill and determination to earn bronze. Together, they truly exemplify the spirit and passion of our gymnastics program.
**Interviewer:** That sounds incredible! Given that there was spirited participation from eight different schools, how did you prepare the team to compete among such talent?
**Sheryl Laborte-Tuyo:** Our preparation involved not just physical training but also mental conditioning. We held practice sessions that simulated competition conditions, helping our gymnasts to build confidence and develop their routines under pressure. We emphasized teamwork and encouraged them to support one another, which really fostered a positive atmosphere leading up to the event.
**Interviewer:** It’s great to hear about the camaraderie! With such remarkable achievements in the elementary category, how do you see the future of rhythmic gymnastics at St. John’s Institute?
**Sheryl Laborte-Tuyo:** I’m optimistic about our future! The overwhelming success this year has sparked even more interest in rhythmic gymnastics within our school. We aim to build on this momentum by continuing to recruit and develop young talent. We hope to maintain our reputation and perhaps even expand our success to higher levels of competition.
**Interviewer:** Thank you for sharing your insights, Sheryl. Any final thoughts you’d like to leave with us about the event or the students?
**Sheryl Laborte-Tuyo:** I’d like to express my heartfelt gratitude to our coaches, parents, and the entire SJI community for their unwavering support. Our gymnasts have shown that with hard work and dedication, anything is possible. We’re excited to continue this journey and are looking forward to future competitions!
**Interviewer:** Thank you so much for your time, Sheryl, and congratulations once again! We can’t wait to see what’s next for St. John’s Institute gymnastics.
**Sheryl Laborte-Tuyo:** Thank you! We appreciate your support!
