Moderator says:
Welcome to the Alyssa Beckerman Chat. Feel free to submit your questions. Enjoy, and be kind.

Alyssa says:
Hey what's up everyone? How's it going?

Pam Mayer from Hershey, Pennsylvania asks:
What is your favorite skill to do?

Alyssa replies:
I like my front ariel on beam

Kim from New Jersey asks:
Hi Alyssa! I was just curious, Why did you choose Cincinnati to train?

Alyssa replies:
I like the basic principles of the gym, and the positive atmospere also

David from Santa Clarita, CA asks:
Do you have any siblings who do or did gymnastics?

Alyssa replies:
Both my brother did gymnastics. My old brother started before me, and my younger brother afterwards, but I'm the only one left.

Gail from Appleton, WI asks:
What is your favorite memory from gymnastics?

Alyssa replies:
That would be my first time making national team (Denver, '97)

Pam Mayer from Hershey, Pennsylvania asks:
Have you ever had a serious injury?

Alyssa replies:
I've had minor things like muscle pulls and strains, but the most major thing was a metal pin in my toe which wasn't too bad.

Alison from Wisconsin, USA asks:
When you were giving autographs after the American Classic this year, was that your first

Alyssa replies:
It wasn't my first autograph session, but it's a nice feeling because at one time I was the one "getting the autographs." It's a great feeling to be the one giving them.

Christopher Scott from Brampton, Ontario, Canada asks:
Alyssa - who made up your floor routine and do you plan to put any double saltos in it soon?

Alyssa replies:
It's a Geza routine, and my coach doesn't want me to disclose future skill info right now. Sorry.

Mozart from Ottawa,Canada asks:
What event do you find the most difficult?

Alyssa replies:
There's vault..after that would be vault..and then..vault

jay from ny asks:
Hi Alyssa, you seem to really enjoy competing at least from what I could see at the ITC, do you enjoy the every day training regiment as well?

Alyssa replies:
Yes. I love coming into the gym and being with my teammates

~Lei~ from TX asks:
Hey Alyssa...do you play any other sports besides gymnastics?

Alyssa replies:
Because of the hours in the gym, I don't have much time for any other sports, but I do like to rollerblade and when I was younger I used to play softball, tennis, soccer, and ballet.

Erin from NJ asks:
did you ever think of quitting gymnastics?

Alyssa replies:
There are frustrating times that accompany injuries, but it's always passed and they never really made me want to quit.

Leigha from TX asks:
Who are some of your current fav. gymnasts?

Alyssa replies:
ALL of my teammates, and all the USA girls. Past favorites include Henritta Onodi and Brandy Johnson.

~peridot~ from DoBois, PA asks:
how do you think your out going attitude has affected team USA in competition and in training

Alyssa replies:
I think optimism has a postivie affect on the USA team. And I think, at ITC's, it helped us to keep that optimistic point of view.

David from Santa Clarita, CA asks:
Do you plan on retiring after Sydney?

Alyssa replies:
No. I have scholarship for UCLA and I can't wait to join my Bruin teammates after my CGA career.

Dave from Oregon asks:
I'm asking this for GB who had to babysit tonight: If you make it to the Olympics and have great success there as a team and as individual and then invited to the John Hancock tour, would you attend and give up your college eligibility and why? Thanks!!

Alyssa replies:
BIG Question. That would have to be decided at the time it's presented. Now is not the time to think about that partcular scenario

David from Santa Clarita, CA asks:
What are your favorite television programs?

Alyssa replies:
Felicity, South Park, Friends, Seinfeld.

Phoebe from Canada asks:
Are you excited to go to Winnipeg this summer?

Alyssa replies:
Of course I am very excited and cannot wait. *smile*

Layne from Massachusetts asks:
Do you spend time with your teammates outside of the gym?

Alyssa replies:
We do when we can, but we all spend many hours in the gym.

Shawna from Pa asks:
What advice do you have for some one who started gymnastics late but wants to be in collegiate gymnastics? I am a level 6 gymnast and a freshman.

Alyssa replies:
If you believe in what you are doing, and try really hard, no goal is unreachable.

Phoebe from Canada asks:
Are you going to have a new vault by nationals?

Alyssa replies:
I'm training a new vault, but only time can tell if it is ready by nationals.

~peridot~ from DuBois, PA asks:
What has been your best competing moment as an elite gymnast?

Alyssa replies:
I'd say after beam, in prelims, at the American Cup. Being first up in the entire meet was extremely nerve wracking, and the feeling after hitting the routine was great.

Pam Mayer from Hershey, Pennsylvania asks:
What is your floor music called?

Alyssa replies:
The Mask of Zorro

Layne from Massachusetts asks:
Do you miss living and training in New Jersey?

Alyssa replies:
I miss the shore, and my friends. I miss my old teammates also.

Pam Mayer from Hershey, Pennsylvania asks:
I remember seeing you at the 1998 Parkette Invitational and 1998 Nationals. At that time, what was your floor music called? I thought it was really cool! I like your new one even better, but I just always wondered what the name of your old one was.

Alyssa replies:
Big Spender

Layne from Massachusetts asks:
What do you plan to study at UCLA?

Alyssa replies:
I think I'll go into theater and acting

BlueDolphin from Boston, MA asks:
How have you handled the media attention you have been receiving recently

Alyssa replies:
Pretty well. It's all still new to me. But, It's pretty exciting.

Pam Mayer from Hershey, Pennsylvania asks:
Do you go to regular school?

Alyssa replies:
Yes I do. I have AP courses this year and it's difficult with training.

Pam Mayer from Hershey, Pennsylvania asks:
What is your ULTIMATE goal?

Alyssa replies:
To look back on my career when I am done, and feel completly content and sitisfied with what I have done.

Christopher Scott from Brampton, Ontario, Canada asks:
You have such a big swing on bars - is that something that comes naturally to you, or did past coaches teach you that technique - it really sets you apart on that event.

Alyssa replies:
When I had the pin in my toe, I trained lots of bars, so I guess I had a lot of time to develop a good tap swing.

Layne from Massachusetts asks:
What was the most disapointing meet for you so far in your career?

Alyssa replies:
The American Cup, because I was in contention to be in the fianls up until my final event, bars, which is my favorite and "just my event." It was disappointing to miss that routine.

YE from Rochester NY/Los Alamos NM asks:
Are you looking forward to the next StarWars movies coming out???

Alyssa replies:
Yes I am definately. I can't wait!

~peridot~ from DuBois, PA asks:
Do you get much fan mail and how do you handle it?

Alyssa replies:
I get a lot of fan mail, and I am awful about answering because of time, but I do feel guilty about it.

pingvuiini from California asks:
What countries have you visited gymnastically?

Alyssa replies:
France, England, Holland, Mexico, and The Bahamas..Coming soon...Canada!

Layne from Massachusetts asks:
Have you ever studied a musical instrument? If so, which one, and how did it go?

Alyssa replies:
The Flute. And, my mother taught me some piano. My mother and brother were more the musical ones, but I do like to sing.

BlueDolphin from Boston, MA asks:
Which do you enjoy more, competing as part of a US team or competing individually?

Alyssa replies:
ITC's was really my first team (USA) meet, and I really enjoyed it. It's tough to say which I like better, because different pressures are upon you in each situation.

David from Santa Clarita, CA asks:
How old were you when you started gymnastics?

Alyssa replies:
2 for "mommy and me" classes, and more seriously at 10

Megs from Napa, CA asks:
From all the countries you have visited, which one is your favorite and why?

Alyssa replies:
I think the bahamas, but I like them all for different reasons. Hard to say really.

Layne from Massachusetts asks:
Alyssa, what's your middle name?

Alyssa replies:
Erin

Layne from Massachusetts asks:
How do your non-gymn friends feel about you being so successful in gymnastics?

Alyssa replies:
They're very supportive and understanding when I can't be there all the time because of my hectic gymnastics schedule.

Alyssa says:
Bye Everyone, best wishes! Take Care! See ya at the next meet! -Lyss

Moderator says:
Thanks everyone, the questions were great!