In this months edition, we catch up with a new track star, a frequently upside down gymnast, a globetrotting couple from the pacific northwest, and an award winning dance trio.

Sports Spotlight - Emma Pasquesi

Up first, the one and only Emma Pasquesi has taken to Track & Field.

She is proving to be quite the runner and having fun learning all of the field events. Following her mother’s footsteps.

Her top events are the 800 medley relay (she finishes the relay with a 400), 600m, and 800m. She has placed in each of her running events including firsts in her 800m relay in back to back weeks.

Lookout Ruth Mansour, here comes Emma Pasquesi!

Sports Spotlight - Ellie Wanek

Ellie just finished her second competitive season for Gemini Gymnastics Academy. Last year, Ellie finished First in All-Around at the Illinois State Meet for her age group at the XCEL Silver Level. Ellie’s team voted her “The Girl Who Loves Gymnastics The Most” at her end of season party.

This year she was bumped up to XCEL Gold and worked hard all season learning new skills and routines. In total, Ellie works out at the gym about 8 hours per week over 4 sessions, without any hesitation around practicing.

Ellie finished 7th in All-Around at the Illinois State Meet a few weekends ago, placing 4th on Bars and not falling off the beam!

Ellie’s favorite events are bars and floor. She likes to cheer on her friend Molly at events and looks up to Brynn, the best gymnast at her gym.

Ellie qualified for regionals, but unfortunately broke her finger on our trampoline and had to sit out the final meet of the season. Luckily, she is used to broken bones and it doesn’t phase her much.

Next year, Ellie is excited to return because she gets to pick her own floor music and have her own routine.

Life Spotlight - Hank Jenkins

This month, we caught up with the one and only Hank Jenkins, who recently returned from a trip to China with his girlfriend, Anran (Pronounced like on-run).

Hank and Anran have been together since March of 2020, meeting just before the pandemic. Anran was born in China, grew up in Greece, and later moved to the US to attend the University of Washington ~10 years ago. She has a Masters Degree in Supply Chain and works for a local retail company called Amazon.

On the trip, they visited four cities in China: Shanghai, Chongqing, Chengdu, Wenzhou.

The best meal?

Sichuan Hotpot, a traditional Chinese dish. We had a simmering pot of spicy soup broth right at our table, and inside this hot pot we cooked thinly sliced meats, vegetables, seafood, and noodles. The spicy soup broth adds delicious flavor, however due to the spicy peppercorns and chili peppers this meal is not for the faint of heart.

The biggest surprise?

The suddenness of the food poisoning that came towards the end of our trip. When we were about an hour's ride away from where we were staying, this illness came fast and furious. Let’s just say I left my mark on China during the return trip.

Hank lives in the Beacon Hill neighborhood in Seattle. His job is 100% remote, which allows him to keep his dog Gatsby company throughout the day.

In his free time, Hank enjoys cooking, trying new restaurants with other couples in the neighborhood, visiting small towns throughout Washington state, of course his annual guys trip to Las Vegas for March Madness.

Pasquesi Pizzaz

To close this month, let us highlight the amazing daddy daughter trio of Josh, Emma, and Jane. They won the Decades costume contest at the SFX Daddy-Daughter dance!