On January 4, 1995, God gifted us our beautiful daughter, Alexandra. When the nurse handed her to me, I looked down into her eyes and they actually twinkled — a sight that will forever be etched in my mind. She was a beacon of light and lit up every room she entered throughout her life.

It may be hard for most people to comprehend, but things seemed to come easily to Alexandra. Life’s challenges motivated her to excel, and she performed at levels many people would not imagine. Her athletic achievements were evident in every sport she tried. We encouraged her athletic pursuits, and she chose gymnastics as her primary passion. Winning two New York championships before the age of twelve was extraordinary to us — we knew she was beyond special.

But it wasn’t only her athleticism that made her stand out. She was a model daughter, a loyal friend, and a wonderful sibling. She brought us endless joy from the moment she was born. She competed at nationals in high school (Garden City) and earned an athletic scholarship to George Washington University. She competed for four years, helped raise the level of her team, and helped put George Washington gymnastics on the national map. She was the team captain and was named MVP in her senior year. Everyone considered her a powerhouse.

Her humility set Alexandra apart. She never sought adulation for her achievements and was profoundly humble. Conventional wisdom says there are no words for a loss like this, yet no one could argue that Alexandra embodied Achievement, Beauty, Charm, Commitment, Honor, and Leadership. Her star is indelible in our minds, though, tragically, it was taken from us far too soon.

— Alex and Josephine DeMoura and Family