She stands, eyes closed and takes a deep breath. In her head there is complete silence, but all around her there are athletes chatting, parents cheering, coaches directing, and judges conferring. She stands at one end of a 60 foot blue track, the thick white stripe down the middle staring her down, a spot so familiar to her. Although she’s in the midst of frenzy and excitement, she blocks it all out; she’s in her zone. The voice in her head speaks to her, loud and clear, “Just make it to the other end of the mat. Stay on the white line. Land on your feet. Glue.” A high tight bun of box braids, skin glistening, melanin poppin. “Ryann” the superior judge calls from 40 feet down the tumble track. She throws both hands sharply in the air, lights the room on fire with a wide smile and takes off - round off, whip, whip, whip, whip, whip, back-handspring, full - Long and sleek, she appears to fly effortlessly through the air. A divine combination of grace and power. She sticks it. Throws her hands in the air once again to salute the judges. She is met with a subtle smile and a half nod of approval from the superior judge as she turns to consult with the panel of judges tasked with associating a numerical score to all that black girl magic. High fives and hugs from her coach as he beams with pride. A glance to her mom standing on the sideline making sure she didn’t yell too loud or shake the camera too much as she attempted to get the perfect video. A span of the crowd where she catches a glimpse of her aunts, cousins, teammates, and team family… This is her village.
For the past six years, Ryann and her mother have traveled the country for competitions - Florida, Virginia, North Carolina, Alabama, South Carolina, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan, even South Dakota. Together they have visited places they may have otherwise overlooked on the map. Over the years, the out of town trips for competitions have morphed into so much more - road trips complete with battle of the musical decades 90’s vs now, culinary explorations of local spots on and off the Diner, Drive Ins, and Dives roster, and now college tours.
If not for the support of her mother, Ryann would not have the opportunities she has had. With her every step of the way; her mother, her advocate, her number one fan - the orchestrator of her village. Ryann is a member of Flip City South in Stockbridge GA. At her gym she is surrounded by excellence. Being around other athletes with the heart and determination to succeed has made Ryann a better athlete. Her coaches not only work toward developing the skills to be an athlete, but they work toward building Ryann and her teammates into responsible people. Ryann says, “Being at the gym is like being at home. My coaches and teammates are my family.” The ones who push her beyond her comfort zone, the ones who she looks up to, her role models, and the ones who guide her on the right path in hopes of seeing her succeed; her coaches, her mentors - the preceptors of her village. Ryann knows that everyday she has her friends, family, and Flip City South family supporting her. It may be a hug, a warning to be careful, a kind word, or even a reprimand that she does not want to hear, but Ryann knows it is all said and done with love. “I appreciate being around positive people that want to see me succeed” Ryann says of the people she is closest to. They are constantly lifting her up in prayer and sharing encouraging words as she faces challenges. They are her supporters, her fans - the cheerleaders of her village. Without her village, defying gravity would simply be a dream. Through hard work and the ongoing support of her village, that dream is turned into a reality.
For the past six years, Ryann and her mother have traveled the country for competitions - Florida, Virginia, North Carolina, Alabama, South Carolina, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan, even South Dakota. Together they have visited places they may have otherwise overlooked on the map. Over the years, the out of town trips for competitions have morphed into so much more - road trips complete with battle of the musical decades 90’s vs now, culinary explorations of local spots on and off the Diner, Drive Ins, and Dives roster, and now college tours.