WILSON SCHOOL OF GYMNASTICS & DANCE

A USA Gymnastics School Where

PEOPLE MAKE THE PROGRAM

Biographical Sketches of our staff 

Joyce Donatelli
As Professor of Exercise and Sport Science at Wilson College, Joyce is Exercise and Sport Science program director and director of The Wilson School of Gymnastics and Dance. She received her BS in Physical Education from East Stroudsburg University where she was a member of the Varsity Exhibitional Gymnastics Team for four years. She received her MS in exercise physiology from Penn State University and, while there, taught gymnastics with Kathy Corrigan, a nationally known gymnastics coach. Joyce has retired from coaching and teaching gymnastics after 30 years at the YMCA, USAG and collegiate level. She was a rated USAG gymnastics judge, and, as a member of the National Association of Women Gymnastics Judges, judged gymnastics for over 20 years. Joyce is a USAG level 1 through 4 skills evaluator, a certified USAG meet Director, is USAG Safety Certified, USAG level 1 coaching administrator, and AACCA (American Association of Cheerleading Coaches and Adviser) Safety Certified.

Rod Burdge
A 1981 graduate of Chambersburg Area High School, Rod trained with Tom Seward at the Chambersburg YMCA from 1979 to 1981 and was himself an accomplished gymnast.  Rod has been training, teaching, and coaching gymnastics at Wilson since 1982 and is a remarkably gifted teacher.  Still a child at heart Rod brings creativity and fun into the tot and tiny tots classes and is a favorite of the older girl's and boy's classes.  He is the class program coordinator.  Rod is also a USAG level 1 through 4 skills evaluator, and USAG Safety Certified.

Jennifer Evans
A graduate of Wilson College, Jennifer completed the athletic coaching certificate program with a concentration in gymnastics and field hockey. Before coming to Wilson, Jennifer competed as a USAG Class III gymnast at Owego Scamps in Owego, New York, where she also taught and coached. Jennifer competed on the Wilson College team and has taught at the Wilson School of Gymnastics since 1985. She is a Professional Member of USAG, is a USAG level 1 through 4 skills evaluator, and a level 1 USAG coaching administrator and is USAG Safety Certified. In addition to teaching for the Chambersburg Area School District, Jennifer has completed her masters degree in education at Shippensburg University.  Jennifer is head coach of our level 5 and 6 compulsory teams. 

Rachel Chapman
Rachel comes to us from Portland, Maine where she competed as a USAG gymnast for six years and also as a high school gymnast. She was a member of the Portland High School cheerleading squad and attended competitions and cheerleading camps as part of her training. Rachel is a 2005 graduate of Wilson College. Prior to joining the staff at Wilson, she ached at the Portland YMCA and in the Portland School System. Rachel is the cheerleading program coordinator. Rachel is AACCA Safety Certified.

Amy Martelli

Amy comes to us from Hill’s Gymnastics Center in Gaithersburg, MD where she was head coach for the level 9/10 college-bound gymnastics program for the past 7 years.  Before going to Hill’s, she coached gymnastics at the Hanover YMCA and the Gymnastics Center of Hershey giving her 15 years of coaching experience before coming to Wilson.  Amy is a graduate of York College with a BA in English/Theatre and a minor in Psychology.  She is well known regionally for her choreography and has choreographed many optional routines for Wilson gymnasts.  Amy is and member of the National Association of Women’s Gymnastics Judges (NAWGJ) and has been a gymnastics judge for over 10 years.  She is a USAG Professional member, USAG Safety certified, and a certified meet director.  She served as the USAIGC Maryland State Chair, as a PA State NAWGJ Board member, and a Region 7 Master Clinician.  Amy primarily works with our competitive team and is the head coach of the optional team. She also works with our gymnastics classes and lends her tumbling experience to our cheerleading team.  Amy is also the head coach of the Wilson College Gymnastics Team. 

Jennifer Monn
Jennifer is a long time Shippensburg Area resident. She began her teaching career at WSGD before stopping to raise her family and help run a family business with her husband. She studied dance at Point Park College in Pittsburgh, PA as well as under Paula Kellinger and Margie Schaeffer at Wilson College where she was a member Orchesis, the college dance company. She also performed with the Chambersburg community Theatre and attended workshops featuring Shirley Black Brow of New York, Leni Wylliams of Boston, and Judith Jamison. She still enjoys dancing herself and attends master dance classes on a regular basis. Jennifer will be our Dance Program Coordinator.

Jennifer Bierly
Jen comes to us from Waynesboro, Pennsylvania and is a 2001 graduate of Waynesboro Area High School.  She competed gymnastics for Waynesboro High School where she holds the highest all-around record of 37.05. Jen was a high school state champion on Balance Beam. She also competed for Wilson for 10 years finishing her USAG career as a level 10 gymnast.  One high point of Jennifer’s gymnastics career was qualifying and competing in Level 9 Nationals in 2000. Jen is USAG Safety Certified and a professional member of the USAG. She is the primary coach for our pre team and level 4 team.

Heidi Eiwen
A 1999 graduate of Wilson College, Heidi comes to us from White Plains, New York where she trained as a competitive gymnast for 11 years. During that time, Heidi also trained in Bucharest, Romania, Brown's Academy in Florida, Karolyi's Academy in Texas, and Woodward Camp. Heidi was a four-year member of the Wilson College gymnastics team and Orchesis, Wilson's modern dance troupe. As an accomplished dancer herself, Heidi studied dance with Nina Balistrere, Paula Kellinger and at the Broadway Dance Center in New York City.  While at Wilson, she majored in math and secondary education with a minor in athletic coaching. Heidi presently teaches mathematics at the Francis Scott Key High School in Carroll County, MD and is still the head coach of the Chambersburg High school Trojan Gymnastics Team. She will be the primary coach of our Wilson Panthers Silver team as well as continuing to assist with our gymnastics team and our dance, gymnastics and cheerleading classes. Heidi is a USAG professional member, a level 1 through 4 skills evaluator and is USAG and AACCA Safety Certified. 

Kirsten Browder
Kirsten is a 2001 graduate of the Chambersburg Area High School where she competed for the high school Trojan team as an all around gymnast for four years.  She distinguished herself in the high school diamond competition, holding numerous Trojan records on floor exercise and vault.  Kirsten  competed for Wilson for 12 years finishing as a very accomplished level 10 USAG gymnast. In her senior year, Kirsten placed first on floor at USAIGC nationals. While attending the University of Pittsburgh she was a member of their gymnastics team. Kirsten works primarily with our optional team but also lends her experience to our classes and cheerleading teams.  She is a USAG professional member, USAG safety certified, and a level 1-4 skills evaluator.

Lindsay Landis
Lindsay is a 2005 graduate of CASHS where she was a member of the cheerleading, gymnastics and track and field teams. As captain of the Trojan gymnastics team in 2005, she competed in the national high school championships. Lindsay attended Lock Haven University for a year and was a member of their cheerleading squad. She currently attends Wilson College and is a member of their gymnastics team. Lindsay will be one of the primary coaches of the Wilson Panther Senior Cheerleading Squad. She also works with the Panther Cubs as well cheerleading gymnastics and dance classes.

Jenny Chamberlain
Jenny comes to us from Franklin Ohio where she competed for Gymnastics Training Center of Ohio and finished her career as a level 9 gymnast. She continues to compete as a member and captain of the Wilson College Gymnastics team. Jenny is entering her senior year with a major in Exercise and Sport Science and a minor in Athletic Coaching. She is a USAG Professional Member and USAG Safety Certified. She works with our gymnastics and cheerleading classes and our gymnastics team. Jenny also lends her tumbling expertise to our cheerleading teams.

Sarah McClitis
Sarah comes to us from Morton, PA where she cheered for the Ridley Park Rebels from 1999 to 2002. She also cheered for the LCI Blue Devils All-Star team for four years, including 2004 when they were the National Champions at UCA Nationals in Florida. Sarah also studied dance at the Calabrese School for Dance for five years and was a member of the Ridley High School dance team from 2004 to 2007. She attends Shippensburg University where she has a double major in History and Communications/Journalism. Sarah works primarily with our cheerleading teams and classes but also helps out with our dance program.

Alicia Hambright
Alicia is a 2006 graduate of Chambersburg Area High School where she competed on the Trojan Gymnastics team. She competed for Wilson for 8 years finishing her USAG career as a level 7 gymnast. Alicia is entering her junior year at Shippensburg University with a major in Elementary Education. She works with our gymnastics classes and our level 4 compulsory gymnastics team.

Julie Nassar
Julie comes to us from Johnstown, PA and is a 2007 graduate of Shippensburg University where she received her degree in Psychology with a minor in Sociology.  Julie competed as a gymnast for ten years finishing her career as a level 8 gymnast. Her favorite event was floor. Julie also competed for six years on Turner’s All Star Cheerleading team where she competed at state, regional and national level competitions. She has coached both gymnastics and cheerleading and enjoys working with children of all ages. Julie will be working with our gymnastics and cheerleading teams as well as class programs while pursuing her Masters degree in Integrated Studies.

Whitney Hawkins
Whitney comes to us from Quarryville, PA. She attended and cheered for Solanco School District for ten years, including four years on their Varsity team. Whitney also cheered for Synergy All-Stars for seven years and helped earn 9 national championships.
She also competed in gymnastics for nine years at several area clubs finishing her club career as a level 7 gymnast. Whitney attends Wilson College and is majoring in Sports Management with a minor in Athletic Coaching. She is a member of the Wilson Phoenix Gymnastics team. Whitney has coached both gymnastics and cheerleading and enjoys working with children of all ages.

Jenelle Wenerd
Jenelle is a 2008 graduate of Chambersburg Area High School where she competed on the Trojan Gymnastics team. She also competed for Wilson for 12 years finishing her USAG career as a level 8 gymnast. Jenelle was a member of Wilson's Silver Division team who took first place team at the USAIGC Nationals in Florida in 2004. She will be attending Penn State Altoona in the fall of 2008. Jenelle works with our level 4 compulsory team and our gymnastics class. 

Dolores White (Lefty)
Assistant Director.  Every successful organization has at its heart people who are excellent at organizing and administering its work.  Dolores (Lefty) is the person at the Wilson School of Gymnastics and  Dance who can answer all of your questions regarding our educational programs, special events and activities.  For prompt service with a smile, feel free to ask her about our cheerleading and gymnastics classes, gymnastics and cheerleading teams, dance program, summer camps, birthday parties, sleepovers, recitals, year-end shows, gymnastics apparel, and special incentive programs.  She also keeps our web site updated.

Amber Rhyne
Amber comes to us from Corning, New York and is a 2004 graduate of Wilson College with a major in elementary education and certificate in athletic coaching/gymnastics. She was a competitive gymnast for 14 years participating in USAG, high school and collegiate gymnastics. Balance Beam and Floor were her strongest events. Amber's many years
of coaching experience includes coaching at Elmira Gymnastics Club, the Corning YMCA, and Woodward Camp.  Amber is working on her Masters at Wilson College and lends her talents to our team as much as her busy schedule allows. Amber is also employed as a teacher by the Washington County School District where she teaches dance. Amber is USAG safety certified.  

Julie Heintzelman
Julie is a 1989 graduate of the Chambersburg Area High School and as a gymnast herself, competed on the Wilson, Chambersburg High School, and Chambersburg YMCA teams.  She coached and taught gymnastics at the Chambersburg YMCA, Wilson, and Gymnastics of York for seven years, before taking time off to raise her three sons. Julie has attended workshops and trained with Kelly Hill, Steve Neuno, and professionals from all over the US.  In addition, Julie has attended many motivational workshops giving her the tools to motivate and inspire the gymnasts to reach their goals. She was a certified student athletic trainer when in high school and was both a high school and USAG certified gymnastics judge.  Julie is a USAG professional member, a USAG level 1-4 skills evaluator, is USAG Safety Certified, and a USAG Meet Director. She assists with Wilson's level 7 through 10 teams.  

Kate Tusten
Kate is a 2002 graduate from Shippensburg University with a major in business and in 2006 she earned her teaching degree in Elementary Education. She currently teaches Kindergarten for the Washington County Public Schools. Kate ,an accomplished gymnast herself, competed as both a USAG and high school gymnast, with balance beam being her strongest event. Kate has been coaching and teaching gymnastics at Wilson since 1997 and is an excellent coach and instructor. She is a level 1 through 4 skills evaluator, USAG Safety Certified, USAG Meet Director and coaching certified (KAT/MELPD) Kate helps out with our gymnastics team and classes as her job teaching Kindergarten in the Washington County School district allows.

Nicki Shively
Nicki is a 1998 Graduate of Shippensburg University where she received her BS in Sociology Anthropology. Nicki teaches first grade at Falling Spring Elementary School and is pursuing her masters in education. She is also the assistant coach of the Chambersburg Trojan gymnastics team. Nicki was a gymnast for 14 years, having competed for the Chambersburg YMCA for nine years, and for the Chambersburg Senior High School for four years, where she qualified for PIAA States three consecutive years from 1991 through 1993. Nicki works primarily with the class program and is USAG Safety Certified.

Deb Colley
Deb is a Chambersburg Native who for the past three years has studied Belly Dancing under several local talents – Jazana and Miraj (Harrisburg, PA), Sitamun (Frederick, MD) and Latifa (Millersville, MD). She has also attended Belly Dance workshops by master instructors from across the nation including: Ahzia, Angela Prato, Conchi and Mesmera, Yasmine and most recently with the legendary Zahra Zuhair. Deb has also gained Belly Dance performance experience over the past two years as both a soloist and group performer. In addition she is certified in ZUMBA by Alberto Perez (Beto), who created this hit workout program which combines the excitement of Latin music and easy to follow moves for a dynamic workout. Deb will be working with us to offer new and exciting classes for Adult fitness and fun.

 

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