COMMUNITY

GilbertSunNews.com | @GilbertSunNews /GilbertSunNews For more community news visit gilbertsunnews.com

Mykayla Skinner honored for her many triumphs

BY EVELYN HENDRIX

GSN Contributor

The day that Mykayla Skinner was flying over the vault in Tokyo, the Arizona flag was flying over the state capitol in Phoenix. That may not seem unusual, but this particular flag was in honor of the Gilbert native and her quest for an Olympic medal. Steve Smith, former state senator, hoisted it up himself.

Skinner won a silver medal in vault in the Summer Olympic games in Japan. At a private banquet Aug. 12, Smith presented the flag to Skinner for “being an inspiration and for her patriotism to the United States of America.”

State Sen. Warren Petersen also presented Skinner with an award to recognize her achievements and hard work, telling her she is a “role model for young girls that aspire to follow in your path. You are an inspiration.”

Petersen believes that she has the opportunity to influence others who wish to achieve their dreams through perseverance.

“I want to help Mykayla make that Mykayla Skinner, second from right, is flanked buy her coaches, including, from left, Neela

Nelson, Lisa Spini and Bob Peterson. (Leavitt Wells / Leave it to Leavitt Photography)

happen,” Petersen said. He invited Skinner to speak at the opening of the next legislative session in January. Petersen also asked the audience to drive by the town’s water tower after the event. It was illuminated in red, white and blue in honor of the Olympic athletes from Gilbert.

Skinner also received a national award: a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition from U.S. Congressman Andy Biggs. Biggs was unable to attend the banquet so Smith gave it to Skinner, along with a flag that had flown over the U.S. Capitol.

Skinner’s coaches spoke about her long journey to the Olympics. Lisa Spini, head coach and owner of Desert Lights Gymnastics in Chandler who has coached Skinner since she was 11, listed a few of Skinner’s achievements.

“Mykayla was a six-time national team member and three-time world champ,” Spini said.

Skinner also won the gold medal on vault, floor and all-around at the 2014 Pan American Champions, and was a gold medalist at the Glasgow World Cup.

Spini recalled the Olympic rollercoaster that she has ridden with Skinner, who missed a shot at the 2012 London Olympics before being named alternate to the 2016 Rio team.

“Gymnastics is a very subjective sport. It’s not always fair,” said Spini. “You have to fight for a spot and Mykayla encouraged every other athlete to fight for the same spot. Always,” Spini added.

Spini also gave a nod to Skinner’s successful NCAA career at the University of Utah. “She was Academic All-American as

see SKINNER page 15

Chandler veteran trying to save others from suicide

BY KEVIN REAGAN

GSN Contributor

CaS Facciponti had reached a breaking point in 2013. The military officer had been told by her superiors that she had to retire due to a lingering combat injury she sustained in Afghanistan.

Facciponti was reluctant to leave the service after devoting so much of her life to it and fought the order but the West Point graduate was told that her 10-year military career was effectively over. “It was the only fight I had ever lost,” she said. “It was almost like a sense of failure.”

Facciponti struggled to readjust back to civilian life and felt like she no longer had any sense of an identity. “It was like a shadow of me and a dark, dark shadow,” she recalled.

Facciponti realized she had to save herself by making a change and decided she needed to find a way to continue serving her country. Instead of saving soldiers on a battlefield, Facciponti used her expertise to save veterans from their inner battles. Four years ago, Facciponti co-founded a nonprofit in Chandler that specializes in assisting veterans and their family members in navigating the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder and avoiding thoughts of suicidal ideation. Known as Operation Shockwave, the local organization attempts to shrink Arizona’s rate of veteran suicides by offering educational workshops, therapeutic activities, and a safe place for service members to share their struggles. Facciponti said the nonprofit’s name fittingly describes the seismic intervention that’s sometimes needed to rescue a veteran from the despair of their trauma. “We can’t save lives doing ripples,” she said. “We have to save lives through shockwaves of helping one another.”

Operation Shockwave attempts to offer veterans a sense of community by hosting events and classes that can reduce the societal stigma often associated with mental illness.

It’s work that appears to still be needed as the nation continues to grapple with a significant number of veteran suicides each year. More than 6,400 of the nation’s veterans died by suicide in 2018, a rate that was see VETERAN page 15

well. That’s what I’m most proud of,” said Spini. Skinner will be returning to Utah to complete her senior year. Another coach, Neela Nelson, recalled seeing young Skinner for the first time as she competed at a level-eight gymnastics meet.

“Mykayla had a bad day. She came in dead last in the entire meet,” Nelson said. It would be the last time that happened. “It only took one year for her to go from level eight to elite gymnast. She worked incredibly hard and never complained.” Throughout the evening, Skinner’s smile lit up the room. Each of the speakers focused on her strong character. Skinner has been a team player who constantly builds up other gymnasts. In June, she was named Sportsperson of the Year by her peers.

“One of her greatest qualities is her kindness and care for others,” said Nelson. “There is only one Mykayla.” When Skinner stood to speak, she received a standing ovation. “I was born dead,” Skinner began, joking that she can overcome anything. She thanked her parents, Kym and Cris, for their years of sacrifice to make her dream possible.

Skinner also thanked her sister Chelsea, who “has been my rock,” and her husband Jonas, who helped as she struggled with COVID, pneumonia and a painful bone spur during the pandemic. “I could feel all of you cheering me on as I competed,” she told the audience.

Skinner recounted her disappointment when the “two per country” rule kept her out of the individual competition.

“After the [Olympic] prelims I felt like after all I’ve been through, why can’t I be good enough?” Skinner said. “But I’m so grateful for my trials. I’m unstoppable. I can do anything I want to do.”

Coach Bob Peterson has been Skinner’s spotter during dangerous flips and twists. He expressed his confidence in Skinner’s ability to perform well. “I never had a single doubt,” he said. Peterson summed up the feelings of everyone in the room with just two words. “She’s bulletproof.” slightly higher than the year before. Arizona’s veteran-suicide rate is significantly higher than national rates, with the state reporting more than 220 deaths in 2018.

Facciponti’s small team of volunteers encourage veterans to calm their minds by reconnecting with nature, adopting a service animal, or trying out a new hobby. Volunteers additionally partner with other organizations to help veterans obtain basic living needs or resolve outstanding claims with the Veterans Health Administration.

“I really wanted to start something that kind of closed the civil-military gap and educated people,” Facciponti said. A native of New York City, Facciponti credits her lifelong passion for public service to her parents, both of whom worked as civil servants and instilled in her a strong sense of sacrifice and patriotism.

After getting out of the military and relocating to Arizona, Facciponti noticed how other veterans seemed to lack a sense of direction in their lives and were routinely teetering on the edge of crisis.

MENDOZA

Cleaning & Sanitization General Cleaning, Laundry & More 1 time • weekly bi-weekly • monthly Ask about Windows & Sanitization Services FREE ESTIMATES

Call Mireya Mendoza Now! 480-259-0935

Her nonprofit started out teaching mental health workshops, but Facciponti discovered there was more that needed to be done to service veterans.

There were opportunities for healing being wasted, she said, because veterans weren’t aware of all the coping mechanisms that could help them overcome

their trauma. Now the nonprofit has dozens of veterans participating in programs that have them discovering the simple comfort of picking up a book or spending time with a dog. “If they’re willing to put down the gun, and pick up a leash -- that’s all I can hope for,” Facciponti said. “One day, one veteran at a time.” The goal of Operation Shockwave is to convince every veteran that they’re deserving of a CaS Facciponti of Chandler helps veterans avert suicidal tendencies. (File photo) loving, fulfilling life, Facciponti added, but they just have to be willing to reach out for help before it’s too late. “I wish people would understand that they need to check in before they check out,” Facciponti said. Veterans experiencing suicidal ideation can contact the national hotline by calling 1-800-273-8255 or texting 838255. More information can be found at operationshockwave.org.

Quality Healthcare Begins with Us!

Quality Healthcare Begins PHOENICIAN MEDICAL CENTER with Us! PHOENICIAN MEDICAL CENTER WALK INS WELCOME WALK INS WELCOMEFREE VITALS

FREE VITALS CHECK CHECK

Rapid molecular COVID tests and fl u tests with results within 20 min

Michael L. Smith, MD Join us in welcoming our newest doctor! We are excited to welcome our new provider to Phoenician Medical. Now Accepting New Patients!

• Primary Care • Preventive Care • Chronic Care Mgmt • Regular Check Up • Wellness Screening • Diabetic Management • Physical Examinations • Vaccinations/Immunizations • Hospital Follow Ups • Flu Shots for Elderly • Urgent Care Visits

Michael L. Smith, MD (Internal Medicine)

480-963-1853

www.pmchealth.care

Same day new patient appt available