Some of the best young gymnasts from across the state met at the OnCenter to compete and spread an important message.

Boys and girls, aged 6-18, competed in the 24th annual Pinky Stone Memorial Championships, hosted by CNY Gym Centre. The tournament is named after Frederick "Pinky" Stone, a former Gym Centre coach who died in 1986 in a boating accident.

More than 500 gymnasts competed on the balance beam, uneven parallel bars, the vault and floor exercise.

The gymnasts wore special breast cancer leotards in honor of a CNY coach who was recently diagnosed with the disease.

"We really want our coach to know that we are thinking of her," says Anyi Liebler-Bendix, a 12-year old gymnast.

Every year a $1,000 scholarship is awarded at the meet to a high school senior who will be competing in college.

For more information, check out the CNY Gym Centre's website.