Introducing Mickayla Stuckey, a 14-year-old gymnast from Union City, Indiana. Stuckey is the daughter of Michelle and Jeremy Stuckey and granddaughter of Len and Loretta Hindsley and Scott and Joann Stuckey, all of Union City.
Stuckey attends the Indiana Community Academy, an online state school with an average grade of A’s. Now that is a motivated teenager!
Stuckey trains at the Cincinnati Gymnastic Academy five to six days a week putting in 25-30 hours of workout in gymnastics. Her mother, Michelle, was herself a gymnast she spoke with us on the phone, says Mickayla is a very self-motivated and driven teenager. When asked for a quote on what she tells her daughter to inspire her, Michelle says she stays out of her motivation and lets her do her own thing. But, she did say, she tells her daughter “Make every day a great day”!
Self-inspired and motivated this 4-foot-11-inch, 102-pound girl has won several honors. The Ohio All Around, beam and floor and placed second on the bars. She advanced from there to the regionals to compete against others from Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, Michigan and Illinois. She placed in the top seven at that competition to qualify for the “Nationals” May 5 through the 8th she will be traveling to Fort Worth, Texas, to compete in Level 10 of the Junior Olympics National Championship.
Brother, Jordan is 18 and will graduate this year from Union City Junior Senior High School. Mother Michelle is a labor and delivery nurse and teaches tumbling at Dixie’s School of Dance in Winchester. Father Jeremy works at Astral Industries in Lynn, Indiana.
Stuckey also competes in “Competitive Dance.” Asked what her favorite was in gymnastics, we were told floor and beam routes. She expects to commit verbally to a college sometime this fall on scholarship.
Union City continues to be an amazing place to live. Recently Tim King, husband of Shelly King, owner of The Corner Cupboard was involved in a motorcycle accident. This community has amazingly surrounded them with a support system. King’s injuries were very serious, careflighted to Miami Valley Hospital then transported to Rehabilitation Hospital of Indiana in Indianapolis, and it quickly became apparent Shelly needed assistance. A transportation team of about 60 people transport her back and forth to the care centers so that she can concentrate on her own needs and rest. A gofundme page was initiated, donations of assistance to keep her store open, clean and weed their garden, and a food train is organized to take care of those needs when they are home. And that isn’t all…..
Brianna’s Hope 5th chapter of helping those with addictions now meets every Friday evening at the Wesley United Methodist Church in Union City.
Union City is a finalist for the “Stellar Grant.” The Arts Festival is in the planning stages. Homes are being repaired, yards cleaned up, citizens are clearing gutters and street drains.
Second Saturday Market is being organized for the (of course) second Saturday of each month. Produce, food, handmade items, gift items, etc. will be offered in downtown on North Columbia Street, Union City 9 a.m. = ?. Call 765 964 4451 or email [email protected] if interested in participating. This is all being organized by Susan Linder, owner of the Christian Bookstore.
As Union City has become a community of arts, antiques and volunteers, together you can make a difference. What have you done for your community this week? Step out of the box and volunteer.
