Centenary Gymnastics Honors Alumna With Annual Walk Like MADD
Centenary Gymnastics will bring the campus community together during Homecoming 2026 for its annual Walk Like MADD, an event honoring former Centenary gymnast Sylvia Keiter while raising awareness about the dangers of drunk driving.
The walk is Thursday, Oct. 15, at 11 a.m. at Jones Rice Field and will help open Centenary’s Homecoming weekend.
In 2018, Keiter was killed by a drunk driver while helping someone on the side of the road. Since her death, the gymnastics team has continued the walk to remember her impact on the program and to show how one decision about alcohol and driving can affect an entire community.
“Sylvia was a light on the gymnastics team,” Centenary gymnast Skyla Cruz said. “She worked incredibly hard, had a big heart, and always took the time to check on and care for others. She made a lasting impact on the program, and we want to ensure her memory remains part of Centenary Gymnastics.”
The team organizes the walk on campus in partnership with Mothers Against Drunk Driving, or MADD. Unlike many awareness walks, Centenary’s Walk Like MADD is not a fundraiser. It focuses on remembrance, education and bringing the community together.
For Cruz, the message reaches beyond the team.
“Bringing awareness to the dangers of drunk driving is extremely important because one decision can tragically affect so many people, not just the person behind the wheel,” Cruz said. “As a team, we want to use this event to spread awareness about the consequences of drunk driving while honoring someone who meant so much to our program.”
The walk has become an annual tradition, with current gymnasts carrying forward the memory of an alumna many of them never knew personally.
“We plan to continue honoring Sylvia through this event for years to come,” Cruz said. “She was an important part of our gymnastics program, and we want future generations of Centenary gymnasts to understand who she was, the impact she had on the program, and why we continue to honor her.”
Centenary’s Student Government Association will host a Thirsty Thursday with refreshments for participants. Free shirts will be available, and there is no cost to participate.
Cruz encouraged students, alumni, faculty, staff and community members to join the team.
“It is a great opportunity to enjoy some time outside, walk around our campus, and come together for an important cause,” Cruz said. “Most importantly, your participation helps us honor Sylvia’s memory and spread awareness about the dangers of drunk driving.”
Walk Like MADD
Thursday, Oct. 15, 11 a.m.
Jones Rice Field
Free to participate; free shirts and refreshments provided