As a star gymnast, Kenya Farley knows a lot about keeping her balance. But perhaps Farley’s most impressive balancing act is her ability to perform at a top level not only in athletics but in the classroom as well.

Farley, a seventh-grade student in St. Rose School, Belmar, has been competing in gymnastics since her mother enrolled her in her first class at the age of three. Since then, through continued hard work and dedication, Farley has become one of the nation’s top gymnasts in her age group while maintaining an ‘A’ average in school. She captured state championships in the vault in 2005 and 2006 and has set a state record in the competition.

Earlier this year, Farley faced one of her biggest challenges to date. She took on top gymnasts from across the nation and from other countries at the Chicago Style Gymnastics Meet, one of the largest invitational women’s gymnastic events in the world. Farley medaled in all four events – the vault, floor, balance beam and uneven bars – and placed fourth overall.

"It was a really good experience," said Farley, 13. "There was a lot of competition but it turned out to be one of my best meets."

But only a few weeks later, Farley topped herself once again. She finished first overall in her age group at the New Jersey state championships, earning herself a spot as one of six state representatives in the 2009 Level 8 regional competition, held May 2-3 in Waldorff, Md. There, Farley placed first in the vault and fifth overall in her age group.

To stay on top of her game, Farley trains four hours each day at a gym in Mount Laurel, an hour-long drive each way from her family’s home in Neptune. Farley also notes the importance of believing in oneself in order to succeed.

"When you have a lot of doubt in your mind, that’s what you show when you perform," she said. "So it is a lot easier to think positive."

Farley uses that same positive approach in her academics. She takes advantage of her free time outside of gymnastics to study and is hopeful that her high grades and athletic prowess will one day earn her a college scholarship.

Farley said she has enjoyed attending a Catholic school because its strong academic environment has motivated her to work harder. She is also considering continuing her Catholic education at St. Rose High School, she said, and eventually hopes to work in the field of education as a reading consultant.

Farley’s mother, Sonia, said that she has always taught her daughter that academics are her first priority, but has noticed that the lessons Kenya has learned from gymnastics also help her in other areas of her life.

"You have to be so disciplined to do gymnastics," Sonia Farley said. "I truly believe that discipline carries over into the classroom and Kenya wants to do her best there too. It is a really well-rounded sport and I think these are values she will definitely carry along with her."