WELCOME!

We are excited to welcome you back to the annual Mari-Rae Sopper Gymnastics Show. Your children have been eagerly preparing for this day.

This show has been dedicated to Mari-Rae Sopper, a former Fremd High School gymnast, Palatine Park District gymnast, and instructor. Her passion for the sport of gymnastics led her to leave an established and impressive law career to take a one-year stint at the University of California, Santa Barbara, to coach at the college level. On September 11, 2001, she boarded American Airlines Flight 77 to embark on her new career. Tragically, she died when that plane crashed into the Pentagon. Though Mari-Rae never got her chance to start her dream job, she lives on inspiring gymnasts through this gymnastics show.

The Palatine Gymnastics Program began in 1977 with classes being taught at Fremd and Palatine High Schools. It continues to be a developmental program, with Parent & Tot, Pre-School, and Recreational programs, and the return of a competitive team this summer.

Your child is participating in a truly wonderful and beautiful sport, one that builds fitness, grace, and self-discipline. They have spent weeks preparing for this. We thank you for attending today and hope you enjoy the show!