DENVER – The University of Denver gymnastics team will host its first "My Ribbon, My Reason" meet on Sunday, February 11, when DU competes against Iowa State and SE Missouri State in Magness Arena.
 
During the competition, gymnasts from all three teams will wear colored hair ribbons that represent causes that each student-athlete has identified as important to them. DU has partnered with campus and local organizations to help raise awareness for the causes that the Denver gymnasts have selected. Some organizations will be in attendance on Sunday while others will supply materials for fans to learn more about the causes and how to get involved.
 
Fans are encouraged to join the team in celebrating their own causes or may pick up colored streamers to match the gymnasts' ribbons on the concourse before the meet to show their support as well.
 
2024 DENVER GYMNASTICS 'MY REASON, MY RIBBON' CAUSES
ALZHEIMER'S DEMENTIA – Purple Ribbon

• Ava Mabanta: "I selected the ribbon for Alzheimer's dementia, considering the emotional connection to my grandmother's journey with her conditions. My goal is to raise awareness and support for those affected by these challenges."
• Bella Mabanta: "I have chosen the ribbon for Alzheimer's dementia to provide awareness to those who have been affected. This cause holds a special significance due to the challenges my loving grandparents have/had faced."
• Partner Organization: Alzheimer's Association (Colorado)

ANIMAL ABUSE AWARENESS – Purple Ribbon

• Mia Hebinck: "I have always had a deep love and appreciation for animals. I admire their unconditional love and altruistic behaviors. Animals are not meant to be harmed, tested on or used for transactional purposes. They deserve happiness, love and the opportunity to live in peace."
• Partner Organization: Colorado Humane Society

CANCER AWARENESS/SURVIVORS – Orange/Purple Ribbon

• Rosie Casali: "The cause I chose to show my love and support for is cancer awareness. I live every day to make those who I have lost to cancer proud of the woman I have become. I wouldn't be who I am today without them."
• Ashley Gallen: "I am wearing the purple ribbon for cancer survivors in honor of a coach at my club gym. Haley has beat cancer multiple times and through her fight, she has shown me what it looks like to truly be strong, caring, determined, hilarious, positive and a boss through the hardest times. I am supporting all cancer survivors and encouraging everyone to fight one more round."

CHILDHOOD CANCER – Gold Ribbon

• Amanda Hargraves: "I chose childhood cancer because it is something that has always hit home for me, and I wanted to represent it."
• Partner Organization: Summer's Way Foundation

CLIMATE CHANGE – Dark Green Ribbon

• Rylie Mundell: "We need to protect our Earth so that future generations can enjoy it for years to come."
• Partner Organizations: DU Sustainability Council and Leave No Trace

DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION – Orange Ribbon

• Mila Brusch: "I chose this topic because of the need for equity between various minority groups including race, gender and socioeconomic status. It is pertinent to understand the disparities people experience so we can work to form a more inclusive society that appreciates and values all people."
• Momoko Iwai: "I chose diversity and inclusion awareness because diversity helps dismantle harmful stereotypes while inclusivity promotes belonging and cultivates a culture rooted in respect and positivity."
• Partner Organizations: DU Community & Values Initiative and DU HRIC

EDUCATION AWARENESS – Blue Ribbon

• Cecilia Cooley: "I am passionate about education access especially in low-income and underserved communities. As someone who is fortunate enough to be getting a college education and to be on a DI team, I believe that it is important for me to use my platform and privilege to uplift minority communities and promote equal educational opportunities so that no matter a person's demographic, everyone has an equal opportunity at educational success."
• Amanda Hargraves: "I chose education awareness to support women in STEM."
• Rylie Mundell: "Having access to education empowers us to grow as a collective, moving towards a future we can be proud of."
• Partner Organizations: Community Bots, Colorado Youth for a Change and Reach Out and Read Colorado

FOSTER CARE – Blue Ribbon

• Abbie Thompson: "I believe that every kid's life matters. I want to help ensure that kids have the opportunity to grow up in a family setting where they feel loved, safe and cared for."

HUMAN TRAFFICKING – Dark Blue Ribbon

• Abbie Thompson: "I have a radical hope that the cycle of human trafficking can be broken, and I want to be a part of the generation that helps end this cycle."

LGBTQ+ PRIDE – Rainbow Ribbon

• Mia Hebinck: "I'm an ally, and I strongly believe in creating and contributing to an inclusive environment. To me, celebrating Pride means embracing diversity and equality, standing up against discrimination, and supporting of LGBTQ+ rights. Every person deserves to be who they want without fear of being judged."
• Partner Organization: DU QSA

LYME DISEASE – Lime Green Ribbon

• Jessica Hutchinson: "I chose this cause to support my ex-teammate Isabella Johnson, who has suffered from complications of Lyme disease and paralysis, and has been wheelchair bound for several years. She currently plays wheelchair basketball for CUNY's wheelchair basketball team, is involved with non-profit work in South Africa and uses her social media and modeling platforms to advocate for individuals' chronic illness and disabilities."

MENTAL HEALTH – Lime Green Ribbon

• Amanda Hargraves: "I chose mental health as one of my ribbons because I think it is important to bring awareness to mental health issues, especially women in athletics."
• Madison Ulrich: "I chose mental health because I have known a lot of people in my personal life who have been affected by it. It is a very important topic that people often don't think about until something is wrong."
• Partner Organizations: Mental Health Colorado and Thrive@DU

ORGAN TRANSPLANT DONATION – Green Ribbon

• Kiley Rorich: "I chose the ribbon for organ donation transplant for my mother, who had an aortic valve transplant, as well as for my aunt who passed away from an aortic dissection, and one of her eyes was donated to a recipient in Egypt. I feel strongly about this cause because it is an opportunity to help others and can be a life changing event for many."

PARKINSON'S – Gray Ribbon

• Maddison Reidenbach: "I chose this ribbon to honor my Papa who lost his battle with Parkinson's two years ago."
• Partner Organization: Parkinson's Foundation (Rocky Mountain)

 
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TICKETS:
Tickets for the 2024 University of Denver gymnastics season are now on sale and can be purchased online, by calling 303-871-4625 or by visiting the Ritchie Center Box Office.
 
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