Cheer, tumbling center to return

Melissa Mason's pretty flippin' happy to have her cheer and tumbling operation being close to up and running again. As with many businesses, Melissa's Cheer and Tumbling on South Main Street in Fostoria was forced to close its doors when the coronavirus pandemic essentially took over the world in March 2020. More than two years later, Mason has new digs at 634 Plaza Drive, in the west end of the Fostoria Plaza, and governmental blessings to do what she loves. Centers such as Mason's received clearance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to resume operations last year, she said, but she wanted to be as certain as possible that she wasn't doomed for a quick reclosure. "I definitely wanted to wait a good year afterward to make sure I was safe to open back up because none of us really knew what was going on," Mason said. "But I'm ecstatic to be back. A lot of my gymnasts have already contacted me and they're excited. I have quite a few girls already lined up to come back." Mason said she had between 76 and 80 youngsters between ages 3 and 18 learning the integrated skills of cheer and tumbling when the pandemic hit. She said even before she's opened class registrations, she's heard from 18 people about getting youngsters on board. "I'm very excited," she said. Mason is in the process of getting equipment brought in, signage put up outside and having the inside set up before conducting open-house sessions from 9-11 a.m. and 5-7 p.m. on July 16. Registration will be available during the open houses and classes will begin Aug. 8. Sessions of 45 minutes each with nine students will be available at 4:30 p.m., 5:30 p.m., and 6:30 p.m., on Mondays and Wednesdays and at 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. on Saturdays. Mason, who also owns the Whippy Dip on South Main Street, and her daughter, Dakota, will teach the classes. They are certified as USA Gymnastics instructors and cheer coaches through the United Cheer Association. Mason has been Fostoria High School's cheer coach for seven years and has coached in other schools, as well as YMCAs. She has more than 30 years of experience. She said the instruction is mostly gymnastics oriented, as those skills meld into quality cheerleading. "Literally, the biggest things are front walkovers, back walkovers and back handsprings," Mason said. "That all goes into cheer, it all goes into gymnastics, it's all as one. That's why it's Melissa's Cheer and Tumbling. You're getting both skills, whether you're just doing gymnastics or coming in for cheer because they incorporate each other -- always." Gymnastics skills are beneficial in competitive cheer, which she said will return to Fostoria High after a two-year absence. Mason said getting youngsters started in gymnastics early in their lives is beneficial because that's when they're most flexible and fearless. "They've just got to have confidence, and I try to build their confidence," she said. "I know they've got it in them because if they didn't, they wouldn't be here. That's what it breaks down to. I've just got to make them believe in themselves because I believe in them and I believe in my skills to teach the things they need to know." Mason said leotards and other gymnastics apparel will be available for purchase at her facility. For more information, Mason can be contacted by messaging her Facebook page or by calling her at 419-722-5460.