Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah Masucci.
Sarah, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
In the year 2001, my life changed when my neighbor Emily moved in across the street. Emily was no different than all of us, she enjoyed the same activities and was given the same education as us. Emily, my sister, and I were inseparable growing up, to the point where my sister and I were attending Emily’s gymnastics practices where we would go and hang out with all of the gymnasts. Everyone in the gym was family, and we were welcomed in with no judgment. Something not mentioned above is that Emily was born with Down Syndrome. The gymnastics practices we were attending were registered under the Illinois Special Olympics programming. I left that little detail out because Emily was raised to see more in her self than a disability. One program that pushes for athletes to do this is the Elite Stars Program. I have been a volunteer gymnastics peer instructor since then.
After a number of years working with the Elite Stars program, at the age of 16, I approached the program founder and asked her if I could start my own dance team with the Stars. At this age, the responsibilities that I took on were nothing compared to the lifestyle an average 16 years old would experience, as I was in charge of running a program while in high school, while on my own dance team, and experiencing those wonderful teenage years. Because of the leader, I had evolved into throughout the years, the founder trusted me and was fully supportive and accommodating. Our first year, the team included 17 dancers, all with different special needs and ages. The dancers competed at “typical” dance competitions against recreational teams. There were and still are currently no special needs dance competitions or divisions. Because of this, I train my dancers to dance better than their previous competition rather than to other dance teams. The first year of competing was such a success, that the next year we almost doubled in size to 32 dancers. That year we traveled to Sandusky, OH where we competed and won a national dance competition.
To keep this program alive has needed a lot of support. I would not have been able to do this without my sister by my side, the incredible Star athletes and families, the founder, my family, and all of the coaches that continue to volunteer their time and passion to continue to train the best.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
No, but what road starts smooth? I was 16 when we started the dance program, gaining respect was one thing, my age meant a lot to some people. Showing people and maturing that year was a must.
Having confidence in myself and the vision I had was the other challenge. So often people would knock the vision out, or tell me I was choreographing too difficult of routines, or tell me I didn’t have the leadership qualities or the experience. At that age, so often I questioned myself and this decision. It was not until their first competition that I knew everything was worth it. Seeing the dancer’s genuine smiles and love for the spotlight was memorizing. These dancers change perspectives and continuously still bring the audience to tears and their feet at every performance. They love being on stage and showing off their hard work, as any dancer would. They exceed any and all expectations. I wanted to be able to give the same experience to the dancers that I am still grateful to have had.
Dance competitions don’t offer special needs divisions, and often other studio dancers are not “exposed” to such diversity. Arriving at competitions with the Elite Stars dancers and proving that they were no different was challenging at times. We never ask for special treatment at any competition because although we have many differences, we want to be viewed as every other team there, ready to compete and excited to improve. Our teams are capable and we want to show that.
Despite the struggles, everything has been worth. There is not one day where I regret any decision made. All of the struggles have helped me to learn and continuously improve the Elite Stars Competitive Dance Program, and we are so appreciative of the Stars Family continuous support and dedication.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Elite Stars – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Elite Stars is proud to offer a unique program for individuals with special needs from 4 years of age and up. Specialized training designed especially for individuals with developmental and physical limitations. Designed by a Therapeutic Recreation Specialist, Personal Trainer and United States Association of Gymnastics Professional, UCA Cheer Professional and ISI/UFSA Skating Professional, the STARS program promises to develop athletes both physically and mentally while maximizing the fun!
Recreational programs promise fun, fitness, socialization and a learning opportunity for families to gain an understanding of healthy lifestyles and the opportunities available to those individuals with special needs. The competitive programs are one-of-a-kind programs that offer elite coaching, great facilities and year-round training and competition opportunities for athletes with special needs. Athletes receive superior certified coaching support and have the opportunity to take part in the outstanding peer coach program, outings, clinics, camps, special events, trips and meets and competitions (locally & across the USA). All sports are title holders regionally, nationally, and even internationally.
The Elite Stars stands out not only because of our elite athletes but also because of our peer coach program. All coaches are volunteers that come because they want to be there. Each coach comes with their own background and experience either working with individuals with disabilities or from working with the sport, that offers an incredible atmosphere and experience for the athletes, families, and coaches. Because of this program, those who come into this program as volunteers, leave as our communities future leaders and advocates for individuals with disabilities.
Stars athletes, families, and our incredible volunteer staff are able to “change the world of sports, one athlete at a time” because of the cohesive effort from all parties within our program.
How do you, personally, define success? What’s your criteria, the markers you’re looking out for, etc?
Success for us can be achieved in a variety of different ways. We are constantly changing our vision and striving for more.
One way is seeing our former athletes come back as coaches. They are the best example of their hard work and commitment that they have put into the sport and improving themselves as a person and leader. They demonstrate just how truly capable and successful of a future and life the younger athletes can aspire to become and evolve into. We have expanded our program to include more leadership programs to continue to keep our older athletes involved and growing. There is never a stopping point for growth, so there will never be an ending to what we offer.
Another form of success to us includes the bonds built between athletes and other athletes, families, athletes and peers coaches, or coaches and coaches. For many, this program gives families a chance to relate and strive for more together. For athletes, this gives them goals to look forward to, a trick to accomplish or work for, or even a friend to see. For coaches, this gives them something to look forward to, experience and networking to gain, and a new vision they might not have originally seen for themselves.
Success can be measured by a national or world title nomination. Success can be measured by a trophy or a medal. Success can be a random audience member approaching us and telling us how inspired she was. Success includes our athletes being recognized for how talented and capable they truly are by exceeding expectations.
Success includes not just jumping to a high bar but just touching it. To some, this might not appear to be a huge deal, but to us, every stepping stone or inch of progress is an important accomplishment to celebrate. Success might be walking on a low beam with no hand. Success can also be doing a punch front off the high beam. Success for one dance team might be dancing to the song on the count. Success to another dance team might be working towards a double turn. In both cases, success is different based on the situation, the individual, or the team as a whole. Every individual in our program is different, much like every human on earth, we work to cater to these differences to continue to push for more success for each person or team.
Every smile and laugh is a success. Every step for some of the athletes, who were once told they could not walk is a success. This past year, I moved to Springfield for a job after graduating college, and I was able to expand the Stars program and my knowledge to Springfield, where I am helping them to start a program, as well. We want to continue creating a great program that athletes and families look forward to attending and being at.
We celebrate our athletes and all of their accomplishments. By acknowledging all of the different successes, no matter what, the athletes are encouraged and motivated to work and push themselves for more.
Pricing:
- Dance – $10 per hour (subject to change per season)
- Gymnastics – $15 per 1.5 hours (subject to change per season)
- Athletic Advancement – $13 per hour (subject to change per season)
- Cheer – $10 per hour (subject to change per season)
Contact Info:
- Address: Gymkhana Gymnastics & Dance Studio
6622 Barrington Road
Hanover Park, IL 60133 - Website: Elitestars.org
- Email: dance@elitestars.org, gymnastics@elitestars.org, cheer@elitestars.org
- Instagram: Instagram.com/Elite_Stars_Athletics
- Facebook: Facebook.com/EliteStarsAthletics
Getting in touch: VoyageChicago is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
