Unearthing the Untold Potential: The Tragic Yet Inspiring Story of 9-year-old Gymnast T'Yonna Major

Editors Note: This article is part of a series that highlights American youth who have lost their lives this year due to gun violence, which remains one of the leading causes of death among children in the United States. For more information about this project, please click here.

TYonna Major, a fearless 9-year-old girl, possessed an exceptionally large heart. She could often be found engrossed in books, extending her generosity as a friend, and showering love upon her family. Additionally, TYonna was a confident vaulter.

Vaulting necessitates athletes to sprint at full speed towards a solid object that is frequently taller than their own height, aiming to jump up and clear it. "There exists an instinctual fear when it comes to acquiring the skill of vaulting," especially for individuals considered "normal," claims experienced gymnastics coach, Donna Alexin.

TYonna was not a normal kid.

"She just ate it up. She was never scared. She would have run through the vault if she had to," Alexin said.

T'Yonna Major was a dedicated gymnast who never missed a practice at the Orlando Metro Gymnastics gym. However, tragedy struck on the evening of February 22, when a gunman went on a shooting rampage in Orange County, Florida. The first victims were Nathacha Augustin, 38, and Dylan Lyons, 24, a reporter covering the incident for CNN affiliate Spectrum News 13. Shockingly, the gunman then entered T'Yonna's home at random and fatally shot both her and her mother. T'Yonna tragically lost her life in this senseless act of violence.

TYonna was shot and killed on February 24, 2023.

She was 9 years old.

“I just knew she was gonna be something”

Since TYonna's parents, Brandi and Tokiyo Major, brought her home from the hospital, they were aware of her extraordinary mobility.

"At just eight months old, she was already walking," Brandi shared, noting that this milestone occurred much earlier than the typical one-year mark when most infants begin to walk. "She completely bypassed crawling, opting to scoot around on her bottom before effortlessly transitioning to walking."

At just eight months old, T'Yonna Major defied the norm by taking her first steps, a milestone typically achieved closer to the age of one. Tragically, T'Yonna's journey was abruptly cut short, becoming another heartbreaking statistic among the 1,300 children and teenagers who have lost their lives to gun violence in the year 2023.

Courtesy Dominic Major

"I just knew she was gonna be something."

At the age of 3, Brandi noticed her daughter's constant tumbling, jumping, and flipping all over the place. Recognizing her potential, Brandi and Tokiyo enrolled her in gymnastics, which proved to be a game-changer for her. Even TYonnas uncle, Dominic Major, could see that she had a natural talent.

"I still recall the time I visited my mother's house after coming down from Chicago. We were all gathered there when suddenly she began effortlessly climbing onto the table and engaging in flips. It was such a surprising moment that left us in awe, realizing that she possessed the skills of a little gymnast," Dominic shared. "And indeed, that's exactly what she turned out to be."

Recognizing TYonna's insatiable passion for gymnastics, Brandi and Tokiyo took it upon themselves to provide her with the necessary equipment for practicing at home, as two gymnastics classes per week seemed insufficient.

Explore profiles of other children who lost their lives to gun violence.

"She had an absolute passion for gymnastics. It consumed her entire being. Every morning, she would eagerly jump out of bed and start her training on the bars and balance beam," Tokiyo recollected. She would rehearse her routines tirelessly, to the point where the entire family had them committed to memory.

TYonna's drive permeated every aspect of her life. Her love for assisting her parents in the kitchen went beyond mere enjoyment; she aspired to become a skilled chef. Reading was not merely a pastime for her; she devoured over 100 books last year, with the "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" series holding a special place in her heart. Each night, Tokiyo would read to TYonna until she fell asleep, and since Brandi worked nights, TYonna reciprocated by reading her mother to sleep.

Another young life lost to gun violence

According to the Gun Violence Archive, TYonna's tragic demise adds to the distressing number of over 1,300 children and teenagers who have lost their lives to gun violence in 2023. In a distressing shift, firearms have now taken over as the primary cause of death among American youth, surpassing motor vehicle accidents which have historically held that grim distinction.

The defendant currently facing three charges of first-degree murder, along with other offenses, in relation to the fatal shooting of TYonna and Keith Moses, who was then 19 years old. The defendant has entered a plea of not guilty for all the charges. Law enforcement authorities have not provided information regarding the motive behind the shooting.

“Were going to keep her name going”

Yayas Dream Foundation, the nonprofit established by TYonna's family following her passing, distributed 100 backpacks brimming with necessary materials to the primary school she used to go on the day that would have marked her first day of fourth grade.

The group offers services aimed at embodying TYonnas' spirit of generosity. Just like how she would arrange her toys for other children in the neighborhood to take once she no longer needed them, eagerly witnessing their new homes. She also made sure that her parents kept an extra bicycle at their house so that any friend who stayed over could have a bike to ride too.

Besides her gymanistics skills, T'Yonna Major was also an avid reader and devoured over 100 books last year.

Courtesy Dominic Major

The foundation also supports the enactment of stricter gun regulations aimed at curbing community violence.

"We are committed to preserving her legacy," Tokiyo affirmed without hesitation.

"Each day she spent here holds a treasured place in my heart," he expressed. However, the memories of Mondays and Wednesdays when Tokiyo accompanied TYonna to her gymnastics practice were exceptionally delightful.

"Although coaches are expected to treat everyone equally, there was an undeniable aura of uniqueness surrounding her," Alexin acknowledged.

Whenever TYonna struggled with a new skill, she would seek feedback from Alexin and tirelessly practice it until she mastered it. Upon discovering the availability of college scholarships for gymnasts, she became highly motivated to earn one.

"Day after day, I would remind her that she was destined for NCAA gymnastics," Alexin reminisced.

She closely examined gymnastic videos featuring renowned athletes like Gabby Douglas and Simone Biles, meticulously committing their movements, tricks, and mannerisms to memory. Tokiyo speculated that they must have watched the "Gabby Douglas Story" countless times.

"Yeah, we watched that movie a lot," Brandi said.

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TYonna didn't just focus on renowned gymnasts. She also dedicated time to analyzing recordings of successful gymnasts, such as Soraya Hawthorne, who was trained by Alexin. TYonna closely examined Soraya's performances, noticing the poignant gesture of tapping her heart and pointing to the sky, which served as a heartfelt tribute to her father, according to Alexin.

T'Yonna Major's dedication to gymnastics was so intense that her entire family could recite her routines from memory. "Gymnastics consumed her. It was in her every waking moment; she would even start her day with the bars and balance beam," her father revealed.

(Due to the lack of context, certain assumptions have been made during the rewriting process.)

It wasnt long before TYonna started earning her own medals - 24 in just two years.

"When Id get there and Id see what she does, Id just be so floored," Brandi said. "Look at my baby."

But it wasnt enough for TYonna to win on her own.

"There were nine other little girls on the team, and they all looked up to her," Alexin said. "We didnt name a captain, but she was the captain."

One of TYonnas teammates, 9-year-old McKenna, said TYonna was the best gymnast on the team.

"She was the first one to get her back handspring on floor," McKenna said.

TYonna was serious when it came to competing, but even at competitions, she was always having a good time.

"She would dance around in line when we were waiting to compete," McKenna said.

TYonna loved unicorns. Now the girls share a stuffed unicorn, clad with a little leotard, in her memory.

T-points

Captain, courageous, compassionate... the ultimate teammate. The remainder of TYonna's team, consisting of young gymnasts, assembled in the wake of her absence and listed the qualities that TYonna brought to the realm of athletics. They reached a unanimous decision that whenever one of their teammates displayed exceptional bravery, strength, or determination, much like TYonna, Alexin would bestow upon them a "T-point."

A few weeks later, Alexin presented the girls with the opportunity to exchange their points for prizes. They all agreed without hesitation that they preferred to keep the T-points.

"Those T-points held more significance for them than any mere prize," stated Alexin.

Now, Alexin says, when one of the girls sticks a landing, they take a moment, tap their heart and point up to TYonna.