The graduating high school seniors are listed below with some of their accomplishments to date.  If any seniors are missing, please e-mail Benji Stern with the information.  Seniors from previous years are listed below with their accomplishments prior to their senior years.

  2008 Graduating Seniors 

Addison Henson

    Addison Henson is a gymnast at Foothills Gymnastics where he is coached by Cory Wooten.  He has attended several Region 8 Championship, and has been a member of the NC State Team.  In addition, Addison was the Sate Champion while in Level 6.  

    Addison attends Hibriten High School.  He is in the BETA club, the model UN, and a member of the Honors Chorus.  He plans to attend college next year and major in Zoology.

Brandon Long

    Brandon Long is a gymnast at Countryside Gymnastics for the past 10 years where he is coached by Frank Toledo.  He started gymnastics at the age of 2 year old.  As a Class 5 gymnast, Brandon placed 2nd on Vault at the North Carolina State Championship.  Brandon place 2nd in all-around at the 2007 NC State Championship after recovering from an ACL injury and 2 surgeries. At the 2007 Regional Competition, Brandon placed 3d on vault and p-bars, 4th on rings, and 5th in all-around.  He has attended 3 regional championships.

    Brandon attends Reid Ross Classical School.  He is a member of the National Honor Society and Junior Classical League.  In addition, he is the captain of his Science Olympiad Team.

    Brandon has signed with West Point.  While at West Point, he plans to continue doing gymnastics and major in Engineering.

Charlie Modlin

    Charlie Modlin is a gymnast at Charlotte Gymnastics Academy where he is coached by Nick Baker and Enoch Pugh.  He has been doing gymnastics for over 12 years.  Charlie has attended several Region 8 Championships throughout his gymnastics career.

    As a student, Charlie is a member of the National Honor Society, an AP Scholar with Honor, a member of the BETA Club.  Also, Charlie is a Morehead-Cain Scholarship Semifinalist, Jefferson Scholarship Nominee, USAG Academic All-American award winner, Civitan Outstanding Citizen for 2007, Governor's School attendee.  In addition, he is a Scholastic Writing Competition National Silver Key winner, and a Wofford Scholar. Outside of the academic honors, Charlie is a peer mentor, journalist for the school newspaper, and a member of a rock band.

    Charlie has applied to an impressive list of schools that include UVA, UNC, William and Mary, Williams, Princeton, Yale, and Wake Forest. 

Cliff Kohut

    Cliff Kohut is a gymnast at FlipForce Gymnast where he coached by Chris Young and Sasha Moussaev.  

    He attends Robert B. Glenn High School and has a weighted GPA of 3.9.  He is the president and Founder of the Young Gentlemen's Club and also is a member of the Senior Men's Club.  

    Cliff plans to attend either Temple University or East Carolina University next year.

Eric Cutler

    Eric Cutler is a gymnast at North Carolina Twisters.  He plans to attend GTCC next year. Following this he hopes to transfer to a school with a gymnastics program.

Nicolas Blair

    Nicholas Blair is a gymnast at FlipForce Gymnastics where he is coached by Chris Young and Sasha Moussaev.  

    He maintains a weighted 4.3 GPA as a member of the National Honor Society.  Also, he is the treasure of the Model UN Club, vice-president of the Volleyball Club, and Senior Dean.  In addition, he is an active member of the Big Brother/ Big Sister program.

    Nicholas plans to attend UC-Berkeley where is hopes to continue doing gymnastics.

Nick Parell

    Nic Parrell is a gymnast at FlipForce Gymnastics where he is coached by Chris Young and Sasha Moussaev.

    Nic attends East Forsyth High School.

Patrick Piscitelli

    Patrick Piscitelli is a gymnast at G&J Speedway Gymnastics where he is coached by Jie Ding.  He began gymnastics in 1995 and his favorite events are floor, vault and rings.

    Patrick has been very successful in gymnastics.  He has attended JO National Championship since 2002 except in 2005 and 2007 when he was injured. At the 2004 JO National Championship, he was 7th in AA, 4th on vault, 4th on floor and 5th on rings.  Based off this performance, Patrick was a member of the Jr. National Team for the 2004-2005 season.  At the 2006 JO Nationals, he placed 6th on floor and 15th in the AA.

Patrick has attended the Region 8 Championship since 1996.  He is a 11 time NC State Champion, and been on 11 NC State Teams to compete at the Region 8 Championships.  In addition, he is a 9 time Region 8 Floor Champion, 7 time Region 8 Vault Champion, and 4 time Region 8 All-Around Champion.   In 2001 Patrick was 2nd in the Future Stars National Championships.

    In addition to the outstanding gymnastics honors he has, Patrick is a North Carolina Academic All-American Award winner for 5 year, and USAG Academic All-American Award winner in 2005 and 2007. He also enjoys playing the guitar, bike riding, and swimming.

    On November 14th, 2007, Patrick signed a five year commitment to the University of Oklahoma.

2007 Graduating Seniors 

Aaron Ward 

Aaron Ward is a gymnast at North Raleigh Gymnastics where Benji Stern coaches him.  He has been to regional several times as well as a previous NC state champion. 

            Aaron attends Word of God Christian Academy where he maintains a 4.0 GPA.  During his senior year Aaron takes class not only at Word of God Christian Academy but half of his day is spent a Wake Tech Community College taking college level courses.

            He has been accepted to Ohio State University. He is still awaiting scholarships and acceptance letters from other universities.

Dylan Parrott 

Dylan Parrot is a gymnast at Cabarrus County Gymnastics where he is coached by Greg Lemelin and Kevin Pierce. When Dylan was 11 years old, he become a member of the Future Stars National Team.   He was the NC State Champion in 2005 and 2006.  He placed 2^nd at the 2005 Region VIII Championship, which earned him a spot on the 2005 Regional Team to compete at JO Nationals.  At JO Nationals held in Savannah, Georgia Dylan placed 6^th in floor finals. To date, Dylan has competed in six JO National Championships.

Dylan is a senior at South Rowan High School where he maintains a 4.0 GPA. He is a member of the National Honor Society and is 13th out of 397 in his graduating class.  In addition, Dylan is a member of his school JROTC where he has been awarded the highest honor possible for a JROTC member. Outside of school and gymnastics, Dylan has made several mission trips with his church to places such as Alaska, Chicago, Daytona, and Mississippi.

Next year, Dylan will attend the US Naval Academy where he will be competing on their gymnastics team. 

Garrett Powlas 

Garrett Powlas is a Level 10 gymnast at G&J Speedway and is coached by Jie Ding.  As a younger gymnast, Garrett competed in the future stars competition and was on the National Future Stars team for one year. He has competed in the JO National Championship four times and being a member of the Region 8 Team. In addition, Garrett has made the all-around finals twice at nationals and event finals on high bar once.  Some of his great accomplish are 19th in the All-Around and 5th on H-Bar at the 2005 JO National Championship. Due to his outstanding performance he earned the right to compete in the 2005 USA Championship.

    Garrett attends Salisbury High School where he maintains a 3.5 GPA.  

Kyle Cutler

    Kyle Cutler is a gymnast at North Carolina Twisters. 

Matthew Huckfeldt

    Matthew Huckfeldt is a gymnast at Blue Ridge Gymnastics and coached by Hugh Gerlach.  He has been a regional competitor several years.  As a class 5 gymnast, he was a member of the Class 5 NC State Member at Regionals.  In addition as a Level 8 competitor he finished 9^th in the all-around, 5^th on pommels, and 5^th on P-bars.

            Matthew attends Martinsville High School.  He has attended Piedmont Governor’s School for Mathematics, Science, and Technology.   He is a “Big M” academic award recipient all 4 years of high school.  In addition, he has been a USAG All-American as well as a NC Academic All-Academic. He is also a JO Rated Judge.

            Next year, Matthew plans to attend Appalachian State University, Western Carolina University, or James Madison University. He plans to major in Music Industry wherever he decides to go.

Mike Varela

    Mike Varela is a gymnast at Charlotte Gymnastics Academy.  Nick Baker and Enouch Pugh are his coaches. He attends Charlotte Catholic this year, and has not decided on what college he will be attending next year.

Trey Brown

    Trey Brown is a gymnast at C&B Flip Force Gymnastics.  He is coached by Chris Young and Sasha Moussaev.

2006 Graduating Seniors

JOSHUA ARCHER

    Josh is a Level 10 gymnast at Traditional Gymnastics and is coached by James and Lisa Sargent.  In 2002 and 2005, he was a competitor at JO National Championships.  In 2005, Josh represented the United States in the Maccabiah World Games in Israel. During the World Games, he was part of the USA Men's Junior Team that earned a Silver Medal in the Team Competition. In addition, he received the Silver Medal in the All-Around, the Gold Medal on high bar, and tied for the Gold Medal on vault and p-bars.

    Currently Josh is attending Jacksonville High School where is a member of the Track and Field Team. While he was a student at Harnett Central High School, Josh played on the Tennis Team. 

    In the fall, Josh will be attending the United States Naval Academy

MATTHEW LACKEY

    Matthew is a Level 10 gymnast coached by Jim Shaw and Robert Boudreaux at Jim-Nastics Academy.  He has been competed for Jim-Nastics for the past six years, where he has qualified to the Regional Championships three times and has been on the NC State Team for his respective level all three times.  In 2002, Matthew was the 2002 Level 6 Regional High Bar Champion, and was also the 2005 Level 8 Regional Pommel Horse Champion.  For the past 4 years, he has been a NC Academic and a USAG Academic All-American Athlete.

    While attending Lighthouse Academy, Matthew is a member of the National Honor Society maintaining a 3.9 grade point average.  He is a competitor for the Catawba College First Family Scholarship, and the Catawba College Presidential Scholarship.  In addition, Matthew is a volunteer at the YMCA of High Point Youth Program. When he is not study or in the gym training, Matthew works at the YMCA as a Red Cross Certified Lifeguard.

    In the fall, Matthew will be attending Catawba College where he already been accepted into the Athletic Training department.  After graduating with a degree in Athletic Training, Matthew plans to go to graduate school for a doctorate in Physical Therapy.

VINCENT MCNEILL

    Vincent trains at Countryside Gymnastics under coach Frank Toledo as a Level 10 gymnast.  He has been a State Qualifier since 2002, and attended the Region 8 Championships in 2002 and 2004.  He hopes to attend the 2006 National Gymnastics Championships in Battle Creek, Michigan.

     Vincent is studying psychology while attending 71^st High School in Fayetteville.  Also, he is a member of the Cumberland County Youth Orchestra, as well as a Gentlemen of Distinction. In 2005, Vincent was a member of the A/B Honor Roll.

     After high school, Vincent hopes to continue gymnastics as a member of a collegiate team. He wants to continue training so he can hopefully become a member of the 2008 Olympic Team. In addition, he would like to one day become a gymnastics coach.  

JOHNNY ROBINSON 

    Johnny trains at Weyandt's Gymnastics in Charlotte, NC, under Stass Savitch and Sasha Shlyuyev as a Level 10 gymnast. He has qualified to the JO National Championships 5 times, and has been a Region 8 Team Member as well as an alternate to the Region 8 Team at Nationals. At the 2005 JO Nationals he was 74th in the AA, and 26th on Vault. In the 2004 JO Nationals, Johnny was 59th in AA, and 20th on Vault. He was 62nd during the AA competition and 20th on Vault during the 2003 JO Nationals. At Johnny first JO Nationals in 2002, he was 29th in the AA and 6th on Vault.     

    Also, Johnny has qualified to the Region 8 Regional Championship eight times and for seven of those times he was a member of the NC State Team for his respective level. Also, Johnny is a three time NC State Champion and 7-time member a NC State Team. In addition, he was a member of the National Future Stars Team. 

    In the fall of 2006, Johnny will attending Nebraska where he has already signed a letter of intent with them.

2005 Graduating Seniors

KENT CALDWELL - Kent is a gymnast at Charlotte Gymnastics Academy (CGA) and is coached by Nick Baker.  At CGA he assists with classes and is team Co-Captain.  He has been involved in gymnastics since the age of 5 and competing for the last 9 years throughout which he has always competed at the Region 8 meet as a member of the NC State team.  Throughout the years he has consistently placed in the top 4 all-around in the state and placed on various events at the regional level.  This past year he qualified for the JO National Meet in San Diego.  His specialties are floor and vault.  He has also been a NC Academic All-American and USA Gymnastics Academic All-American for the past 3 years.

As a student at Charlotte Latin School, Kent has been named to the Headmaster's List throughout his high school years.  His Junior year he was named to the Cum Laude Society by being in the top 10% of his class.  He has won a Scholastic Gold Key in Art, Science Olympiad honors, is a member of the Latin National Honor Society, and most recently was named the Charlotte Latin School Wendy's Heisman Award Nominee.  As a Senior, he is Consul of the Junior Classical League and Editor of the "Blue Review", Charlotte Latin's literary publication.

Kent has studied art extensively at Braitman Studio and Ringling School of Art.
He also tutors students after school at Seigle Avenue School, has gone on summer mission trips to Ireland, Mexico, and South Dakota, and has volunteered with Special Olympics, Nevins Center, and Habitat for Humanity.

Photo by Dale Seibert

TREY JAMES - Trey is a gymnast at Charlotte Gymnastics Academy (CGA) and is coached by Nick Baker.  Trey has been involved in men’s gymnastics for 9 years.  He has qualified for Junior Olympic National Championships twice.  He has been a member of the NC Regional Team 5 times.  Trey is a 3 time USA Gymnastics Academic All-American.  He is a Junior Olympic level judge and is an assistant coach at CGA, where he is also team Co-Captain.

Trey attends Butler High School where he is a member of the National Honor Society and various clubs.  He was a member of Butler’s Symphonic Band.  He has received numerous academic awards during his high school career and has served as a page for the North Carolina House of Representatives.

Photo by Dale Seibert

Trey enjoys computers and other sports, including golf.  Trey has been a volunteer with the Special Olympics, Operation Christmas Child, and other service projects.  Trey is a member of Calvary Church.

Trey plans to continue competitive gymnastics in college.

Photo by Dale Seibert

JAMES PRIM - James is a gymnast at Weyandt's Gymnastics coached by Stass Savitch and Alexandre (Sasha) Shliouev.  He has twice been a North Carolina State All-Around Champion.  During 2004, James took 1st place on Parallel Bars and 2nd place on Pommel Horse, Still Rings and the All-Around.  At the 2004 Region 8 Championships, James tied for 1st place on Pommel Horse.  He has competed at the Junior Olympics National Championships for the last three years, finishing 25th on Still Rings in 2004.

James takes science courses at Central Piedmont Community College and Advanced Placement courses through the Internet and through self study at home.  To date, James has scored a "5" on all of his AP exams.  This year, he hopes to extend this record by tackling AP Statistics, U.S. Government, and U.S. History.  

He tutors refugee children in various subjects and other students in mathematics.

James is a National Merit Scholarship Finalist and has been accepted into the UNC-Chapel Hill Honors Program.  The College of William & Mary and the University of Oklahoma have expressed interest in him joining their gymnastics teams.

BRANDON WALTON - Brandon is a gymnast at Rose's Gymnastics and is coached by Boris Polianski and Brian Rose.    

Photo by Dale Seibert

2004 Graduating Seniors

WIL HEYER - Wil is a gymnast at C&B Flip Force Gymnastics and is coached by Chris Young.  He has been competing in gymnastics for 14 years.  He attends Mount Tabor High School and has received the Academic All-American award in the 10th and 11th grades.  Wil recently received the "Semper Fidelis" award in marching band for the 2003-2004 year.  He has been accepted to The Ohio State University, where he plans to attend in the fall.

MICHAEL JOHNSON - Michael is a gymnast at Traditional Gymnastics and is coached by James Sargent.  He was the first North Carolina gymnast to make a Future Stars National Team (scoring a perfect 10 from 1996/2000 US Olympic Team Coach and 1976 Olympic Medallist Peter Korman).  Michael was a Regional Champion as a Class 6 gymnast and was the NC State Champion several times.  He was a silver medallist on Floor at JO National Championships as a Class 3 gymnast.  He was a Class 3 Regional Team Member and Class 2 Regional Team Member (Alternate).  Michael earned first place Class 2 on Floor and 10th All-Around at the 2002 Men's USA Championships Qualifier.  Although injured, he also competed at the 2003 Men's USA Championships Qualifier in Michigan, placing fifth on High Bar.  He performed on High Bar at the TJ Maxx Tour of Champions in 2003.

Michael is going to forego his senior year in the JO Program to turn elite.  He is preparing to compete in the Men's USA Championships Qualifier in Colorado Springs in April 2004.  Michael enjoys playing piano and spends a large majority of his spare time pursuing golf.

JACOB MESSINA - Jacob is a gymnast at G&J Speedway Gymnastics and is coached by Jie Ding.  Jacob has been involved in men's gymnastics for 13 years.  He's been state champion at least 5 times, a regional team member since 1999, and a Junior National Team Member in 2001.  He has been on the first string Academic All American Team, maintaining above a 4.0 average.  Jake placed 5th in the nation on Still Rings at the Junior National Championships in 2003.  He is the G&J Gymnastics Team Captain and a good assistant coach and role model for his younger teammates.  Jacob is also a skilled drummer and skier, and has been active in First Priority and in his church's youth group.

JOHN MINTER - John is a gymnast at C&B Flip Force Gymnastics and is coached by Chris Young.  John started classes at age 3 (preschool classes) at Blue Ridge Gymnastics in Martinsville, Virginia.  He began competing Class 7 in 1995.  He has qualified for NC State Championships every year – 1995-2004.  In 1995 (Class 7), he placed 3^rd on  High Bar at NC State Championships; in 1998 (Class 6) he placed 4^th All Around at NC State Championships and qualified to Region 8 Championships.  In August 2001, John  moved to C&B Flip Force in Kernersville , North Carolina.  In 2001 (Class 4), he placed 5^th All Around at NC State Championships and 4^th on Vault at Region 8 Championships.  In 2002, John qualified for Regionals as a Class 1.  

For the past two years (2002 - 2004) John has been a judge at the North Carolina qualifying meets and NC State Championships.  He plans to continue judging in the future.

John is a senior at Tunstall High School in Dry Fork, Virginia and Pittsylvania Career & Technical Center in Chatham, Virginia.  He has been on the honor roll for the last four years and has been recognized by Who’s Who among American High School Students.  John received the outstanding Achievement Award in Principles of Technology in 2003.  He was chosen “Student of the Six Weeks” in the Computer Technical Systems Department for having the highest grade point average and for his positive attitude displayed in the classroom.  John is a member of the National Vocational-Technical Honor Society.  Because of John’s outstanding academic accomplishments and leadership qualities, he has been nominated to participate in the National Youth Leadership Forum on Technology this summer in Silicon Valley , California.  John will graduate in June and will be attending ECPI ( Computer Technical College) in Greensboro, North Carolina.  His main focus will be on computer security.

In his spare time, John’s hobby is wood working (making clocks).  John is a member at Mt. Hermon Baptist Church and is active in youth activities.

KIM RASH - Kim is a gymnast at C&B Flip Force Gymnastics and is coached by Chris Young.  He has been a gymnast for 11 years and has competed in the NC State Championships eight times, Region 8 Championships seven times, and JO National Championships once (freshman year).  At NC State Championships, Kim has been first on Still Rings (age 16 and 13) and Vault (age13 as class two).  

Kim is home-schooled.  He plays the guitar in a band for his church, Bald Mountain Baptist, where he is active in youth group. He also plays the drums and piano.  Kim's hobbies include water skiing, kneeboarding and snowboarding.  Upon graduation, Kim plans on attending Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia, where he will major in pre-med and minor in music. 

TED SWARTZBAUGH - Ted is a gymnast at Jim-Nastics and is coached by Jim Shaw.  Ted won the North Carolina State Championships as a Class 1 in 2003.  He qualified to JO National Championships in both his sophomore and junior years (Class 2 and Class 1). 

 Ted has a 4.17 weighted Grade Point Average at High Point Central High School, where he is the business editor for the yearbook.  He also plays bass in a band and is in Beta club at school.  Ted plans to go to college this fall and hopes to continue competing in gymnastics.  He has applied to James Madison University, Temple University and Springfield College; he has been accepted to Temple University with a scholarship to their business school and is awaiting responses from the other two schools. 

BRAD TRAPP - Brad is a gymnast at C&B Flip Force Gymnastics and is coached by Chris Young.  He has been a gymnast for 12 years.  Brad was the Ohio State champion four times before moving to North Carolina.  He also coaches Class 7, 6, and 5 at C&B Flip Force.  In the fall, he plans to attend Boston's Architectural Center, majoring in architecture.