Close to 70 people made their way into a large gym-like room at Vernon's Trinity United Church to see 12 athletes dazzle with their gymnastics abilities.

Special Olympics BC-Vernon hosted its second annual Rhythmic Gymnastics Show Monday, March 10, as the gymnasts showed off their hard work and preparation.

Athletes taking part included Katelyn Oliver, Carissa Lauridsen, Jaime Dicus, Erin Murphy, Stacey Madden, Joseph Browne, Kylie Juvelin, Aleese Watkins, Kira Alder, Alexandra Van Oyen, Katie Hawksby, and Shayla Fors. 

They performed routines in ballot, ball, and ribbon.

The athletes were helped to get ready for and during the show by six volunteer coaches: Lesley Dugas; her daughter, Kaitlyn; Kaitlyn's friend and former coach Jessica Krushen; Dugas family friend Jasmyn Yakura; Janis Hawksby, sister of athlete Katie Hawksby; and Kyla Cole, like Kaitlyn, a student at Vernon Secondary School.

After the 45-minute show, which ended with the athletes receiving a well-deserved loud, standing ovation, the gymnasts were presented with show-ending gifts from the coaches. The gymnasts presented the volunteers with bouquets of flowers.