ORANGE PARK - Avid YMCA member Sofia Ellsworth turned 99 years old.

And to celebrate, her fellow gym buddies went all out.

The surprise party was on Tuesday at Dye Clay Family YMCA, and was attended by my many of her friends, instructors and gym mates.

Dye Clay Healthy Living Director Lake Higdon said that it was great to see everyone come together to decorate for the party and tell stories about their dear friend. 

"We are so blessed and we hope she has the best year yet," Higdon said. 

At her age, Ellsworth still attends the gym regularly, participating twice a week in the Silver Sneakers program. Ellsworth always shows up to class whenever she can to show them all what she can do. 

She said she enjoys participating and seeing everybody each week. 

"It makes me feel good that they're still going," Ellsworth said. 

Many of her gym mates say it's truly inspiring to be able to watch her. Friend and fellow member Gail Gaffney said she would be in awe as Ellsworth would sometimes make remarks to her about how she was old and tired, yet still show up to class. 

"I would look at her and say to her 'There's not a darn thing wrong with you and you know it," Gaffney said. 

Friend and member Lynne Gann said that Ellsworth is always ready to takeover the class if need be.

"If the instructor is not starting exactly on time in class, Sofia is known to walk from her back chair in the back row and start the class for us," Gann said.

As a retired physical education teacher, this readiness to lead the way comes easily. Ellsworth said she has taught everything from kindergarten to college students. She said she has even had experience as a camp counselor and playground director. 

"[I] enjoyed every minute of it," Ellsworth said.

Silver Sneakers instructor Janice Gilpin said in the nine months she has been there, she has come to enjoy Ellsworth's presence in her classes. She said she is sharp as a tick with a wonderful sense of humor.

"I came in last week and she tried to trip me," Gilpin said. 

Ellsworth said all her friends are dear to her heart and it makes her happy to sit in each class and watch as they continue to stay active.

[I] come to class and I see the girls, then I know they're okay," Ellsworth said. "[Because] they're coming to class."