June 8 marked an end to Avionah Widner’s high school career, as it was the date of her graduation. Though her time as a student at Wheeler High School concluded, her achievements remain deserving of celebration and recognition as she made her mark in sports and in the classroom.
Widner’s story is one of an unexpected champion. She’s been a gymnast all her life, practicing nearly every day for four hours to master her approach to the art of gymnastics.
“I truly don’t think I’d be who I am at all without gymnastics. It’s shaped everything I’ve done, including my work ethic, and it strengthens my dedication to everything, as well as my passion for everything,” she said.
Widner has also put forth effort in another sport that has awed spectators and loved ones alike. For a while, she’s had an interest in wrestling – her own brother even used to tell her she’d make a good wrestler. A joke with her friend – the two teasers saying to each other, “If you do it, I’ll do it” – pushed her to finally make the leap. They started late, only being in the sport two months before Sectionals.
Success met Widner on the mat fast. She ended up winning Sectionals, placing third in Regionals, and securing eighth place in Indiana’s State tournament. She may not have been formally educated on the finer details of the sport’s mechanics or technicalities, but she still succeeded. Her general athletic background helped.
“I never did any other sports because I didn’t have time for them. I didn’t know much going into it, yet I knew I was stronger than everyone because of gymnastics. That’s what it was: I was strong, and I was fast. A lot of the girls I felt like only had either arm strength or leg strength, but I have both. That muscle endurance went a long way,” she said.
Sadly, Widner didn’t get to finish her last season in gymnastics. She wound up dislocating her elbow in one of her final wrestling matches. She had offers to compete in gymnastics in college, but she continues to recover from her injury. Her focus has since been directed elsewhere.
Loyola University Chicago awarded Widner an academic scholarship in nursing. Due to her proven abilities to thrive academically, she’s a direct admit. The attention she once dedicated to sports has shifted, and now she’s directing her attention toward what’s to come next in her furthering path as a student. Her past, particularly all the time she’s spent learning and coaching gymnastics, makes a difference in her present.
“After my injury, I’m focusing on becoming a nurse right now, keeping in mind that everything is supposed to happen for a reason,” she said. “When I don’t have motivation, I have a voice in me that says, ‘You have to do it.’ I have discipline at the end of the day, so that’s helped me a lot through school. That’s how I know I’ll be okay with nursing.”
Another tremendous motivator for Widner is her mother. The two have stuck together through every challenge and triumph that comes their way.
“My mom has pushed me the most. She’s never let me quit, even when I wanted to give something a break. She’s always told me to stay in a sport. Thankfully, I have; she’s definitely a big part of that, and she’s worked super hard to be able to support me,” she said.
With a busy sports schedule, Widner didn’t have a lot of free time as a high school student. She would typically spend her leisure hanging out with friends, playing pickleball, or going swimming. She loves to travel when she can, and this summer she’ll be visiting Mexico. Simply being active is something she prioritizes.
Widner’s family is spread out across the country. They reside in locations as far away as California and as close as Illinois. Home for her, however, is Valparaiso. The city’s kindness has her heart.
“I feel most people here are nice. Everyone’s kind, and I’ve never struggled making friends around this area,” she said. “I like living here, too. Everything’s close. I’ve had an easy time getting to feel the community around me.”