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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