Research Update

So today I got some more information from my dad about exhibition gymnastics. I figure I'll lay it out here, both as proof and for my own reference.

He didn't do any competition, thought eh team went competitive after he graduated and some of his younger brothers did pretty well. The team just worked out through the year and put on a 2-night show, like the dramatic productions at NHHs near the end. He described it as sort of circus-like, with more of what we would consider acrobatics and showmanship. He outlined a couple of routines:

1. Statuary, which involved a whole lot of silver body paint. The performers would move into a position while the lights were down, and then freeze, usually with someone balancing or in a difficult position, before they were turned back on.
   
2. Ladders, in which the guys would go in between two ladders and hold them up vertically, then girls would climb the sides and do stunts.
   
3. Vaulting, done in choreographed, criss-cross lines.
4. Trampoline stunts, especially one teammate who did a suicide dive: jumping really high and then going down head-first, tucking at the last minute.
   
5. Rings, on which he did a giant routine.
   
6. Dive-rolls, for which you have to get a running start, jump over people, and dive into a roll.
   

I have determined that I should look up an internet site that has good vocab I can use. I definitely want to have Yunkie be the one who does the suicide-dive. I can do somereally neat stuff with that and trust. I've also decided to include another flashback near the end- to Lacy's dad telling everyone that Yunkie will be coming to visit. That way, she can know without the reader knowing at the beginning. Also, I'm changing Alethia's middle name to Cassandra (or Kassandra; I haven't decided), because Sandrilene reminds me too much of Circle of Magic (well, that is where I got it from) and Cassandra fits with the Greek theme of her first name.

Sweet.