Aged 7, Sandra Lei M. Fontanilla, is the youngest among the 444 athletes of Region I who took long hours of travel just to get into Legaspi City, Albay for the Palarong Pambansa 2016.

Probably, also the bravest among the athletes for she travelled alone joining the rest of the Region I athletes without her coach beside the reserved seat for them. Incidentally, her coach has to attend to an immediate concern in the school and told Sandra that she will follow once the concerns will be addressed.

Sandra is a Grade 2 student at Urbiztondo Elementary School in San Juan, La Union. Belonging to just an average family, she grew up to be independent at an early age. She is the second among her two siblings and she followed the footsteps of her elder sister, Jen Recxel, now ten, also a gymnast.

Sandra was among the first products of the Summer Class Gymnastics program of the MAPE Teachers of Urbiztondo Elementary School. Started at five years old, Sandra was religiously trained by her Coach, Yolanda Meris.

Her parents were so thankful for the teachers who initiated the summer class Gymnastics for they know their daughter makes the best of her summer by learning sports. More importantly, children not only learn champion moves but champion values as well.

“Pangarap ko po talagang makakuha ng Gold at gusto ko din pong maging doctor paglaki ko.” This was her firm answer when asked why she keeps on developing her gymnast skills. Sandra also wanted to help her parents financially when she graduates in College.