Zariyah Butler '23 Recruiting Profile

I did my first backflip with a pillow on the floor at the age 2. My dad recorded and my mom removed the pillow and said “You did it with no pillow”. Within a little bit of time I was unable to flip. That’s when I learned my first scripture “I can do all things through christ who strengthens me”. By the age 3 I got enrolled into Byrds Dance & Gymnastics. After 8 years competing level 6 for 2 years it was time to move on to a gym that competed at a higher level. I transferred to Edge where they competed up to level 10.  I came in as a level 7 

set backs with injuries and my grade started to slip. I over came by helping in my community youth empowerment workshops. GiRLiFE empowerment empowered mothers praying over women to protect her. I was able to be apart of KCK Diamond Dolls dance team and became drum major for my High School. I won state and regional all-around and gymnast of the year at level 9

 I continued with my gymnastics and made it to level 10 by my junior year. My grades went up and my gpa was and is currently a 3.6.  My great grandmother suffered from dementia. I help take care of her. Although she did remember me most of the times. She told me her story on how she dropped out of school however, returned to school after she had her 1st child at 16. Her struggle with abuse and how she was mishandled as a child school and work became her escape. I also had a cousin that I was really close to we would sit on the phone and talked about everything he wanted to be. He told me he wanted to be a fashion designer and travel the world but those conversations would end forever when he committed suicide at the age of 16. The gun violence and fights in our community can be overwhelming but having gymnastics is my way to escape. Studying chemistry or biology to become a plastic surgeon to help people feel their best inside and out. A start with a chance to compete in college gymnastics.