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Coach Michael Vanim
(Owner)
Michael Vanim has been coaching since 1991. He has
coached many gymnasts from Parent-Tot's classes to National Champions. Mike
graduated from Ursinus College where he was an
assistant coach for the 1990-91, and 1991-92 seasons. Mike has also made
over 200 skydives, and believes it is something everyone should try.
His favorite book is Jonathan Livingston Seagull, Harry Potter comes in a close
second.
Mike has been a level 8 judge. He is a Drill Sergeant in the U.S. Army
Reserve and is Combat Lifesaver certified.
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Full Time Coaches
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Coach Christy Smith
Christy has been coaching gymnastics for the past 12 years, though she
has been involved in the sport since she was 2. She competed at the
collegiate level for West Chester University, but stopped her senior year
realizing she liked coaching better. At West Chester, she earned a degree
in Health and Physical Education with a minor in Adapted PE. She coaches
everywhere from Parent and Tot up to the Optional Levels. She also is the
head coach for the exhibition team, who compete in Team-Gym and Gym-Fest
competitions all over the East Coast. Christy also started a Special
Olympics Gymnastics Team for Chester County 6 years ago that is now active
at Berks East. In 2006, she was chosen as Team Pennsylvania's Head
Gymnastics Coach for the 2006 National Special Olympics Summer Games in
Ames, Iowa. Christy, and her husband Chad, are the proud parents of a
little boy, Jaden Chad Smith. In her spare time, Christy loves boating,
water skiing, jet skiing, watching "24", and of course, spending
time with her little boy.
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Coach Eileen Wilson
Eileen graduated
with a BS in Health and Physical Education from West Chester University.
She has taught in both public and private schools, but her true love has
been to teach and coach the sport of gymnastics. Her favorite events are
bars and beam. She also enjoys training the girls in the mental aspects of
the sport. Over the years Eileen has had eight gymnasts qualify to attend
the TOP National Camps. She finds training young gymnasts in the
developmental areas of strength, flexibility and conditioning to prepare
them for future competition very rewarding. Eileen has over 30 years of
experience teaching gymnasts from babies to optional's,
establishing and directing gymnastic programs and training gymnastic
teachers.
Eileen and her
husband, Bob, have four grown children and six grandchildren. Eileen is
involved in Community Bible Study where she is Prayer Chairman and teacher
of the 1st to 4th grade home school children. She and Bob like to hike,
bike and go to the beach
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Coach Dan Tusavitz
Dan Tusavitz Dan joined the Berks East Staff in 2005. He
attended Penn State university before starting a commercial cleaning
business in 1990. He was a recreational gymnast and understands how the
confidence built by gymnastics translates to everyday life. he has two daughters that are members of the Berks East
Gymnastics Team. Dan works with gymnasts from tots to team, and enjoys
helping kids challenge themselves while keeping it fun!
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Coach Amie Wellbaum
Amie has a BS in Exercise and
sports science and biology from Ursinus College
where she competed on the gymnastics team. She started gymnastics at age 7 and
has coached since age 15. She is from Rock Hill South Carolina. She is a
USAG safety certified and a Pro member. She enjoys running, reading,
babysitting, enjoying the outdoors, playing with her pet bunny and playing
and watching sports.
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Coach Cindy Miller
Cindy has been coaching
gymnastics since 2000. She joined the Berks East coaching staff
in 2006, teaching recreational classes, Group gymnastics team and
Artistic pre-team levels (mini's to level 4/5). Her favorite events
to coach are Floor and Beam.
Cindy has enjoyed gymnastics
all her life and was able to continue that passion for the sport once her
own two children became involved in the sport.
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Part Time Coaches
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Coach Jennifer Denson
Jennifer was a competitive gymnast for 6 years. She has a BA in
Psychology from Pacific Luthern University in WA.
Her interest in gymnastics was renewed when her daughter joined the competitive
team. She has been coaching for 3 years. She works with the kindergarten,
beginner, intermediate, advanced, novice optional and tot classes.
She home schools her 3 kids and really enjoys helping children learn
new skills.
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Coach Tom Roache
Presently a
full time professional Civil Engineer and currently working part time with
Beginner/advanced classes and Cheer tumbling at Berks East. Tom has coached
gymnastics and coached, evaluated and judged Cheer tumbling since 1993. Tom
was a Co-ed Cheerleader at Drexel University for 4 years and moved on to
work with the Universal Cheerleaders Association for two years. Was an
assistant coach with a Maryland High School cheerleading squad for a year
and eventually moved back to Philly. Tom has worked with several
cheerleading All-Star squads and with College squads such as Rutgers
University Camden and Team Angels All-Stars out of Malvern with their
Cheerleading skills and Tumbling. If you need help with your tumbling Tom
is confident that he can help.
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Coach Tracy
Zimmer
Tracy is married and
has a 2 year old in the Tot program. Tracy has a J.D. from Widener Law School
and M.S. in Speech Pathology. She is a Speech Pathologist and soon to be
Attorney. She was a Class I gymnast and hails from Grand Blanc, MI. Her
hobbies include running, gymnastics, reading, skiing, horseback
riding and going to the beach.
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Coach Lauren Taylor
Lauren is a
Senior at Wilson High School. She played field hockey and was on high
school dance team. She has done gymnastics for 13 years. She was on The
exhibition team for 1 year. She takes part in the gym's special olympic program. She now coaches and is a judge at the
state games. Lauren also coaches a kindergarten class and helps her sister,
Christy Smith, with a Tots class. In her free time she loves playing with
her little sister and her niece and nephew. She also loves Disney World and
spending time with her friends.
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Coach Corinne
Gammon
Corinne is in 11th
grade at Owen J. Roberts High School. She has been doing gymnastics since
the age of 3 and competing since the age of 8. she
enjoys helping with the special olympics program
at the gym, as well as reading, writing, politics, animals and hanging out
with her friends.
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Coach Kaitlin
Jacoby
Kaitie
is a High School Sophmore. She helps with the
Chester County Special Olympics Gymnastics Team. She is on the competitive
team at level 8. She enjoys gymnastics, books, swimming, movies and going
to the beach.
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Coach Cara Markward
Cara is a Sophmore at Gwyndd Mercy
Academy. She is level 9 on the competitive team and has been doing
gymnastics for 13 years. She enjoys horseback riding, baby sitting,
shopping, eating and arts & crafts.
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Coach Kathryn
Bush
Cathy is a
home-educated high school student. She has been
competing for Berks East since 2005 and is on the competitive team. She
enjoys helping other home-educated students learn gymnastics. She enjoys
reading.
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Coach Tina Steffenhagen
Tina
is a high school student at Boyertown High School. She is on the level 10 competitive
team. She assists the exhibition team. She enjoys gymnastics, swimming and
babysitting, and doing choreography.
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Coach Michelle
Ahlberg
Michelle goes to Methacton High School. She is on the level 9
competitive team. She assists with the chester
County Special Olympic Gymnastics Team. She enjoys gymnastics, swimming, being with friends and coaching special olympics.
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Coach Rachel
Alba
Rachel is a Freshman
at Owen J. Roberts High School. She has been doing gymnastics for 5 years.
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Madison Camacho
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Summer Coaches
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Coach Lauren Daly - Summer
“Miss Lauren” is attending James Madison University to Study Education
where she is also on the club team. She was a level 9 gymnast at Berks
East! Lauren has been doing gymnastics since she was three years old, and
she enjoys being able to pass on what she’s learned to other gymnasts. She
has been a part of the Level 7 State Champion Team and has won several
individual State and Regional titles. She loves working with children,
especially when it comes to teaching them something that will help them in
their life. Lauren loves to hang out with her friends, volunteer for
Special Olympics, reading and makes it a point to try to make class fun for
every child.
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Coach Rachel
Pearson -
Summer
Rachel is attending West Chester University where she is on the gymnastics
team. She began gymnastics at the age of three and started competing at age
10 as a level 4. She competed through level 9 at Berks East. She was also a
member of the 2006 Regional Championship Team and the 2007 & 2009
National Teams. Rachel began coaching in 2006.
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