NEWSLETTER
read about WFYMCA'S YOUTH OF YEAR, HARLEIGH ANDREW, AGING STRONG, THE STAFF MEMBER BREAKING RECORDS AND MORE!!
WAYNESBORO FAMILY YMCA
SEPTEMBER 2026
SPECIAL FEATURE: Meet Harleigh Andrew
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EXTRAORDINARY YOUTH SHARES POSITIVITY, COMPASSION WITH PEERS
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For Harleigh Andrew [ pictured on the cover ], The Waynesboro Family YMCA has been more than a place to spend her afternoons or summers. It has been a place where she has grown, formed friendships and discovered that she can make a difference in the lives of others. Now 11, Harleigh has spent years participating in the WFYMCA’s after-school and summer programs. Along the way, she became someone the younger children could look to for help—and someone the adults could count on to be a positive role model. “I used to help out a lot with the younger kids in the childcare program at the YMCA,” Harleigh said. This desire to give back at such a young age is precisely the reason why she has been nominated as The WFYMCA’s Youth of the Year. Rebecca Patton, Youth Program Director, explained about the nomination, “The thing that stood out the most [ about Harleigh ] was her willingness to be a friend and mentor to younger peers.” For Harleigh, helping others often came naturally. Drawing became one way she connected with younger children. “Ms. Becca’s neice, Lacey, asked me to draw with her, so that was probably where it started,” Harleigh said. “It's not often you find a 6th grader willing to sit with younger peers and guide them,” Patton noted. “There were times when her younger peers would be frustrated with homework or something they were trying to make and she would quietly walk over and say ‘What if we do it this way’ or ‘Can I help you figure that out?’”. That simple invitation grew into a meaningful connection. Harleigh discovered that something as ordinary as sitting down to draw could help another child feel comfortable, calm and connected. And those experiences and relationships are something she cherishes. Although Harleigh aged out of The WFYMCA’s childcare programs last summer, she still wants to find ways to return. Her schedule is now filled with school and volleyball practice, making regular visits difficult, but she makes an effort whenever she can. “I try really hard to come visit,” she said. What makes those visits particularly meaningful is when she sees familiar faces who are happy she is there. “If the kids were excited to see me, That would make me really happy,” Harleigh said. Her mother, Allison Blackwell, has watched that connection develop over the years. She says Harleigh’s positive attitude and willingness to help others are qualities that The WFYMCA has recognized, too. “I think she’s wonderful, and I think Ms. Becca recognizes that also,” Blackwell said. Patton agrees, “Harleigh always came to afterschool and summer camp with a positive attitude and a willingness to help others.” Harleigh’s connection to The WFYMCA has also shaped what she hopes to do next. She cannot officially volunteer until she turns 13, but she already knows what she wants to do when that day comes. "Yes!," she said when asked if she plans to volunteer at the Y when she is old enough. Her mother has no doubt about it. "The second she turns 13, I anticipate her saying, 'Get over here, Mom. We’re going to the Y,'" Blackwell laughed. "We can't wait until she is old enough to come back and be a teen volunteer," added Patton. In the meantime, Harleigh carries the lessons and relationships she developed at the Y with her. She has discovered interests in art and interior design, and hopes to pursue art in college and dreams of someday having her artwork displayed in a museum. But perhaps one of the most important things she has discovered is the value of making someone else feel seen. When asked what she would like people to know about her experience at the Y, Harleigh kept it simple. "I guess just that I had a really great time here. When I went here." For Harleigh, that great experience is not quite finished. Though she may have moved beyond the programs she once attended, she is already looking toward the next chapter—one that will bring her back to the Y, this time as a volunteer. And if the younger children are as excited to see her as she hopes they will be, she may find that the place she grew up has been waiting for her to come home. Harleigh is being honored at this year's Gala along with Eric Fletcher and Erika Hahn. Get your tickets today!
Farm-fresh food on the go! SNAP accepted. Kids get $5 of FREE vegetables every visit! Pay what you can with their sliding scale.
Middle and High School students only. Pizza provided. No registration needed.
The Grow Mobile Returns!
Teen Basketball Open Gym
Thanks to a generous donation.
Saturday September 19 | 11 - 4 PM
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Registration closes 9/16 Sign up online or in person today!
YOUTH PROGRAMS!!
Six Saturdays starting 9/19
Led by Coach Chaya and Coach Isaiah
Kids Gymnastics
FREE!!!
Tuesday September 22 4:45 - 5:45 PM
Led by Justin Wilmott and Chris Lancaster
Sets
Begin with 2 sets; progress to 3 after 2–3 weeks
Reps
8–12 controlled repetitions per set
Tempo
2/0/2 — lower 2 seconds, no pause, lift 2 seconds
Effort
Finish with approximately 2 good repetitions in reserve
Rest
60–90 seconds; up to 2 minutes after squats and deadlifts
Dispelling Common Misconceptions About Strength Training and Aging
Remember to Recover as Part of a Healthy Fitness Routine
There has been a critical shift in modern exercise science: progressive heavy resistance training is not only safe for older adults when done correctly, but it is also one of the most effective ways to preserve long-term health and independence. Let's take a closer look at some of the myths surrounding strength training and aging. Myth: Lifting heavy damages joints. Truth: Joints get stronger with appropriate heavy lifting. Controlled resistance through a full range of motion strengthens tendons, ligaments, and bone mineral density, easing joint pain. Myth: Gaining muscle mass is impossible when you are older. Truth: Muscles still grow in later years. Cellular pathways for hypertrophy (muscle growth) remain responsive well into advanced age with proper protein intake and progressive overload. Myth: Strength training with heavy weights is contraindicated for older people because of concerns about falling. Truth: Safety comes from form, not the weight itself. Supervised, progressive strength programming (with any load) is the key. Becoming stronger also dramatically improves balance and reduces overall fall risks.
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With safe, progressive training, it is never too late to gain muscle mass and become stronger. Conditioned muscles are essential for maintaining independence throughout our lives. Below are general guidelines for designing a basic Aging Strong muscle-building workout. Check with your favorite trainer for important individualization in choosing the right exercises and strategies for you. Sample Aging Strong Workout Guidelines Gaining Muscle Mass Aim for two nonconsecutive days weekly 35–45 minutes per session Choose one exercise from each of these Vital 6 categories: push, pull, squat, deadlift and core. For each exercise: **The lunge (usually included in a Vital 6 Moves workout) is often not a great choice for Aging Strong folks.** Progression Rule When all sets reach 12 repetitions with excellent form and no pain, increase the resistance by approximately 2%–5%. Do not train to failure; stop when alignment, control, or speed begins to change.
Fitness Focus Companion Build Muscle. Age Strong.
TRAINER TIPS: The Power of Rest
MYTHS VS. TRUTHS: Strength Training for Life
Member Shares Love of Group Fitness Community,
One of Jeannie's favorite classes is the Yoga Core Yoga and More that meets on Tuesdays at 4:30 PM. Hear what Yoga Instructor Erin Cuomo has to say about the power of yoga: "Yoga can gently keep you strong and boost your metabolism. Especially good for this are yoga flows that include poses using your body weight, such as plank, downward dog, chair, and side plank, Yoga supports joint health and is a sound way to deal with arthritis. It provides movement in all directions, encourages joint lubrication, and develops strength around joints. Try Yin Yoga to nourish the connective tissue that supports joints. Yoga, paired with proper breathing techniques, can lower blood pressure: Child's Pose and seated forward folds are especially good for calming the nervous system." Interested in one-on-one yoga training? Erin can create a customized program for your specific needs, including but not limited to, management of diabetes, high cholesterol, depression, and anxiety. Reach out to talk with Erin at breathegraceyogatherapy@gmail.com!
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: Jeannie Alexander
Jeannie ( pictured left ) is a huge fan of The WFYMCA group fitness classes. It's her connection to the people who attend and the instructors, like Erin Cuomo, ( pictured right ) that motivate her.
Trainer Tips By Erin Cumo
Jeannie Alexander may have broken her arm, but she wasn’t about to let that break her routine. At 75, Jeannie has built an active life around movement, friendship and, perhaps most importantly, showing up. Since joining The Waynesboro Family YMCA about five years ago, she has become a regular in group fitness classes, including Muscle Mania, Cardio Sculpt, Barre, Yoga and Step. “I love to exercise and stay in shape, and it’s social,” she said. The social part of attending group fitness classes is just as important as the exercise. “I really like all of them,” she said of the classes. “I have made friends here. They're my people.” So when Jeannie recently fell off her bike in her driveway and broke her arm, staying away from the Y was not exactly her idea of a good time. “I had to miss two weeks,” she said. “And it was so great to get back to my people.” Jeannie isn’t one to sit around waiting for everything to be perfect. While her arm heals, she has simply adjusted with the help and guidance of the Group Fitness Instructors at The WFYMCA. “They are so good at modifying any exercise for somebody who needs to modify something,” she said. “They’ve been great.” Instead of giving up an exercise altogether, she finds a way to accommodate; adjusting her grip on a heavier weight or feeling free to skip any exercise that may exacerbate her injury. It’s an approach that fits Jeannie’s personality: Keep moving forward. And there’s plenty more movement on her agenda. Once her arm has fully healed, she plans to get back on her bicycle, one of her other favorite ways to stay active. She rides 20 to 25 miles at a time, enjoying the scenery, fresh air and company more than any particular finish line. “When the weather gets more reasonable and I can put two hands on the bike, I’ll be out there,” she said. For Alexander, staying active in retirement isn’t about proving anything. It’s about enjoying the life she has built—and the people she gets to share it with. “I’m gonna keep enjoying things,” she said.
Blevins set a new state record of lifting over 300 lbs in the bench press at a local Powerlifting meet; a newborn elephant weighs about the same.
The Waynesboro Family YMCA Powerlifting Club is proud to recognize Isaiah Blevins for an outstanding performance at a recent USPC Powerlifting meet, where he set a new Virginia state bench press record and took 3rd in the state in squat. Competing in the 166–181 lb weight class in the Junior Division (ages 20–23), Isaiah earned: ●1st Place – Bench Press ●Virginia State Bench Press Record (Weight Class) ●3rd Place – Squat (Weight Class) WFYMCA Fitness Coordinator, Tre Woodson, sat down with Blevins to learn more about the work behind these accomplishments, what it felt like to break a state record, and what’s next on his powerlifting journey. Woodson: Success on meet day is earned over months of disciplined training. Your consistency and commitment built the foundation for a record-breaking performance. Take us through your preparation. What did your training look like leading up to the meet? Blevins: I trained five days a week during a 24-week competition prep. I squatted, benched, and deadlifted four times each week. Three sessions focused on lift variations, and one session each week was dedicated to the competition version of the lift. Woodson: Knowing you had a chance at the record definitely raised the stakes, but it's impressive that you stayed focused on your preparation instead of letting the pressure take over. Two weeks before the competition, you learned you had a chance to break the Virginia state bench press record. What was that like? Blevins: It was exciting, but it definitely added some pressure. Once I found out the record was within reach, I stayed focused on my training and trusted all the work I had already put in. Woodson: Moments like that don't happen by chance. Seeing someone from our YMCA accomplish something like that is something we're all proud of. For every successful lift on the platform, there are thousands of repetitions completed long before competition day. Your second attempt not only secured first place—it established a new Virginia state record. Blevins: My opener was 313.1 pounds, and my second attempt was 330.7 pounds, which broke the state record. It felt surreal. It was one of the proudest moments of my life because all of the hard work paid off. Seeing my family and the entire crowd celebrate made it even more special. Before the lift, I was nervous but confident. During the lift, the only thing going through my mind was that the weight was going up no matter what. After I got the rack command, I was overwhelmed with excitement and relief because everything I had worked hard for had finally paid off. Woodson: Powerlifting is often a game of small margins. Your journey shows that small improvements, repeated consistently over time, can eventually lead to remarkable results. The first meet was decided by only two pounds. This one wasn’t even close. What did you learn from that? Blevins: Winning my first meet by just two pounds taught me that every rep matters. This time I won by 120 pounds, but that only happened because I showed up every day, even on days I didn't feel like training. Woodson: Sometimes the greatest victories aren’t measured by medals alone. Your return from a significant ACL injury reminds us that perseverance can be just as impressive as strength. You also got third in the state with squats in your weight class. What makes that accomplishment especially meaningful? Blevins: Getting third in the state for squats meant a lot because three years ago I tore my ACL playing soccer. Squats have always been the lift that challenged me the most mentally, so placing third showed me how far I've come. I didn't even know I had placed third in the state until after the competition. Woodson: You have already proven what can be accomplished with hard work and consistency. It'll be exciting to watch you chase those next goals and continue representing The WFYMCA. What’s next for you? Blevins: My next goal is breaking the national bench press record since I'm only about 25 pounds away. I'd also like to reach a 1,500-pound total and continue winning meets. More than anything, I just want to keep getting stronger than I was the day before. Woodson: You’re launching The WAYNESBORO FAMILY YMCA Powerlifting Club. What inspired you to start it, and what can members expect? Blevins: I want people to experience what powerlifting has given me. Whether someone wants to compete or simply become stronger, everyone starts somewhere. The club is about learning proper technique, training safely, encouraging one another, and helping every member become stronger than they were yesterday. The WFYMCA Powerlifting Club welcomes beginners and experienced lifters alike. Members can expect quality coaching, a supportive training environment, and opportunities to prepare for competition while building confidence both inside and outside the gym.
Blevins suffered a signifcant ACL injury which made coming in third for the squat all the more meaningful.
Are you ready to start your Powerlifting Journey? Contact Isaiah Blevins to sign up: blevinsisaiah28@gmail.com
CORNER OF YOUR Y: Isaiah Blevins
Blevins credits his success to staying consistent and having a supportive environement to train in.
STAFF MEMBER AND POWERLIFTER BREAKS RECORD IN LOCAL COMPETITION BY TRE WOODSON