For the women at the 2006 Junior Pan American Championships at the Palais des Congrès in Gatineau, Que., the U.S. squad went 1-2 in all four individual events. Each of the women won an event title. The U.S squad members included Shawn Johnson of Des Moines, Iowa, Rebecca Bross of Ann Arbor, Mich., Bianca Flohr of Creston, Ohio, and Samantha Peszek of McCordsville, Ind.

Johnson earned the most medals for the women, claiming the gold medal for the balance beam and silver medals in the uneven bars and floor exercise. Flohr won the uneven bars and was second on the balance beam. Peszek won the floor exercise and was second on vault. Bross was the champion on vault.

Shawn Johnson

    Birth Date: 1-19-92
    Program: Women's Artistic
    Level: Junior
    Residence: West Des Moines, IA
    Club: Chow’s Gymnastics
    Coach: Chow and Li

Q: Tell us about your experience at the Junior Pan American Championships?
A: It was so much fun! Coming off of the Visa Championships made it a little harder, but being with all of the girls we had a blast. The competition was good and we had the best supporters.

Q: Which was your best event and why?
A: Beam. Because of all of the numbers I had been putting in, I had the most confidence in this event.

Q: What was it like going straight from Visa Championships to Junior Pan Ams?
A: It was hard and long and we were all a little bit more tired than usual, but we helped each other so much and pushed each other all the way until the end.

Q: How did you pack for more than two weeks?
A: I packed one bag for Visa Championships and one bag for Jr. Pan Ams hoping that I would make it.

Q: Did you get to do anything unique or special at Junior Pan Am Championships?
A: I bought a pair of purple tennis shoes in Canada that I love! Haha (They are really cute).

Q: What was the best part of the trip? Shawn: Being with all of the girls and getting to know each other better. We all bonded

Q: I know you were gone from home for more than two weeks, what was the first thing you wanted to do when you got home?
A: Say hi to my dog and cat because I missed them so much.

Q: Tell us about school – What grade are you? What's your favorite class? What's a normal day like for you? How much school did you miss when you were gone to Visa Championships and Junior Pan Ams? How did you get caught up? Are you caught up now with school?
A: I'm in 9th grade so this is my first year of high school. My favorite class is Language and Literature (aka English). I ended up missing only the first four days of school so that wasn't too bad. I got caught up really fast because my teachers gave everything to me earlier during registration. A normal day for me is school from 8 a.m. until 2 30 p.m. and then straight to gym. When I get home from gym its shower, dinner and homework. I enjoy school and always have!

Q: What's next? Are you preparing for any camps or competitions?
A: Right now I'm just learning all of my new skills and getting prepared for camp.

Q: How's training going?
A: Training is going good so far and getting better.

Q: What is the best thing about your coach?
A: There's not just one thing about my coaches because there's just too many things to mention that I love about them. To me, they are the best!

Q: Will you be getting new routines for 2007?
A: No new routines, just altered.

Q: What level will you compete in January 2007 – Junior or Senior – and what are your goals for 2007? 2008? Beyond?
A: I will be competing as a senior in 2007 and can't wait. My biggest goals for this are making the Visa American Cup Team, Euro Tour Team, and, of course, the World Championships Team! For 2008 my biggest goal is the Olympics and when it comes to beyond I'm not quite thinking that far ahead yet.

Shawn's Interests Outside the Gym
    Favorite Music/Book: Rascal Flatts and You Go Girl
    Favorite TV Show: Americas Funniest Home Videos
    Favorite Food: Strawberries!!!
    Hobbies: Scrapbooking, Horseback Riding
    Charity: Walking Animal Shelter Dogs