A new nominating form is in place for the honor formerly called Wall of Fame

By Mike Wood

Staff writer

Wednesday, July 23 (8:30 a.m.): There is a new name for recognition of residents’ fitness success stories – it is Rossmoor Fitness Journeys.

That new moniker, which received unanimous approval at the July 10 meeting of the Aquatics and Fitness Advisory Committee, gives a new name for what had long been called the Wall of Fame. The committee had sought a name change because the recognition’s scope had evolved beyond those who are athletic standouts.

Rossmoor Fitness Journeys – much like its predecessor name – will encompass special recognition on the Fitness Center wall and through an article in the Rossmoor News on a specific resident whose fitness story might inspire others.

The new name was selected from a list of 15 possibilities and resonated for committee members, particularly Mary Lou Thompson, who has been “the keeper of the program” – as RWC Community Services Director Ann Mottola put it – and who broadened the focus toward everyday people finding fitness progress.

“Exercise is a life journey, especially for people who are older, and even though they are older, their exercise journey has not ended,” Thompson said.

With the rebranded name also comes a new nomination form that residents can use to nominate fellow residents. This will be quite helpful, as Thompson had previously sought out candidates by word of mouth, largely by speaking with Fitness Center trainers.

A new Aquatics and Fitness subcommittee, consisting of Thompson, Catherine Robinson-Walker and Gary Miller, will review applications.

There’s a sense of energy within the committee with the rebranding and new nominating process, and the potential.

“To me, it’s a really wonderful development for us as a committee, that we can do something to lift up people in the community,” Robinson-Walker said.

The new form describes the recognition’s aim – “to honor real people making real progress, in their own way and at their own pace” and to “celebrate residents whose personal paths to wellness inspire others.” Also new is that the nomination form specifies that nominees must agree to be recognized. At the meeting, Mottola thanked Thompson and Robinson-Walker for their input in development of the nomination form.

The recognition’s scope can go beyond what a person does at the Fitness Center, Thompson noted, considering Rossmoor’s plethora of clubs and classes that encourage physical activity and exercise.

“It can be someone swimming at Hillside or taking part in folk dancing or taking a T’ai Chi class,” she said.

The broader scope “leaves room for someone who finds when they have a health event and have to step up their own recovery,” Robinson-Walker said.

The rebranding came from a suggestion by RWC Communications Director Ann Peterson to Mottola and Thompson, because the honor had evolved to celebrate those “everyday users that have really used fitness to improve their quality of lives,” Mottola said. Such stories can motivate others toward fitness.

“It becomes encouraging for a newcomer, particularly a new person to the community,” Aquatics and Fitness Chairman Barry Devine said.

“Fitness is not just a fait accompli; you have to keep working at it,” committee ex-officio member Carol Lehr remarked. “This way, we’re honoring somebody who’s on the way.”

The new Rossmoor Fitness Journeys nominating forms can be found at:

• Fitness Center front desk
• Gateway Administration reception desk
• At www.rossmoor.com by going to the For Residents tab and clicking on the Fitness Center option

The brief one-page form has a checklist of how a person being nominated has inspired the fitness community. Those nominating someone can check any or all these reasons: shows up consistently; encourages others; overcomes obstacles; maintains a positive attitude; leads by example; or another reason that can be written in.

Completed forms can be submitted at the Fitness Center front desk or emailed to afac@rossmoor.com directly to the Aquatics and Fitness Advisory Committee.