Donna Howell All-Around Gymnastic Champion

11-year-old gymnast Donna Howell from New Milford Susquehanna County trains at Techniques Gymnastics in Windsor New York. Howell a platinum level gymnast just won the all-around title at the USA Independent Gymnastics Club event in Florida. Howell took first in beam and bars and second in vault and floor.

“Just tell me what it was like down in Florida competing? How much fun was that? It was a lot of fun and also very nerve-wracking. What was kind of your favorite event down there competing over several days? Beam. Why do you like beam? It’s just kind of hard so I like it you have to say,” said Donna Howell.

Angel Vaccaro runs the program at Technique Gymnastics. She is also Donna’s head coach.

“She has been in some ways a daughter in the gym. I not only coach her, but I’m the nurse. I’m her hairdresser. I know when she is hurt. I know when she is tired, and she’s not one to say anything like that but I can see it in her face. There’s a relationship-there’s a bond there that’s really special,” said Angel Vaccaro.

Donna started coming here to Techniques Gymnastics here in Windsor New York at the age of four and right away Coach Vaccaro started her on beam.

“I trust her a lot and she’s fun as a coach,” again said Donna.

It’s a short drive up Route 81 for the Howell family from Susquehanna County. It’s one they make four days a week for six hours a day, and it’s quite unique how it all started.

“Actually she fell into it by accident. She went to sign up for a dance class and there weren’t enough girl’s so she took a tumbling class, but her instructor felt like she progressed so quickly that we ended up coming up to Windsor and she’s just grown incredibly since then,” said Maureen Howell.

Donna continues to progress with her gymnastic skills. In the coming months and years they hope to take this to an international level.