2012 Olympic heroes inspire future athletes

TULSA - The 2012 Summer Olympics is coming to and end, but the works is just getting started for kids who inspire to reach greatness.  Kids at Aim High Academy in west Tulsa now have a new hero, gymnastics gold medal winner Gabby Douglas.

D’Rijah Smith started doing gymnastics 4 years ago. The sport has empowered her and made her more confident to try and make mistakes.

“If you want to try it go ahead don’t be afraid,” she said. “If you don’t get it the first time keep trying and you’ll be able to get it,” Smith said.

She gets excited watching her new hero Douglas, “I look at her as a role model she’s really good.”

Academy Founder and Executive Director Jennifer Patterson said her kids have been chanting U.S.A. during practice for the last two weeks.

“Some of these kids have some big dreams they want to be the next Gabby Douglas the next Jordy Wieber the next Aly Raisman,”she said. “You know it has motivated them it has inspired them.”

The academy is a non-profit gymnastics school that aims to help kids in North Tulsa. Patterson says it provides a safe place for kids to be encouraged to like it’s name, 'Aim High' in life.

They depend on donations and volunteers, for more information head to their website .