Allen is happy to have Addison for the studentspotlight! At almost two-years-old, Addison has been attending Tiny Tots classes for six months. We have had the pleasure to watch her grow from a shy tiny tot to a social butterfly who isn’t afraid to try something at least once! Addison loves her Coach Danielle and her parents think Danielle is an awesome coach because “she is patient, energetic, and amazing with the kids”.
Addison loves coming to class because she is able to play with kids her own age while getting her energy out. Addison’s favorite part of gymnastics is jumping on the trampoline! Her parents love ASI because of the awesome coaches and the positive fun they bring into Addison’s life. We are so happy to have Addison and her family here and are excited to see Addison grow in the sport of gymnastics at ASI Allen!
FIREWHEEL
Firewheel proudly presents Jeremiah as the student spotlight for the month of October! Jeremiah is currently rocking it in our Boys Gold class with Coach Tanner! Jeremiah started out with us at ASI in our Boys Bronze class, and in a year’s time he practiced really hard, listened to his coaches, and has worked his way into Gold! Jeremiah first became interested in gymnastics when his older sister, Hannah, attended classes. Jeremiah joined classes as well, not long after, and has loved it ever since!
Jeremiah loves being able to play on all of the equipment, but his most favorite event to be on is the rings! Thanks to Coach Tanner, Jeremiah is able to learn the skills he needs to know for his favorite event! Jeremiah loves Tanner because, “he teaches me really well and is funny!” Coach Tanner makes the class challenging for Jeremiah, but more importantly he makes it fun! Jeremiah’s parents love gymnastics just as much as he does because they say Jeremiah “is becoming athletically stronger and they have really good coaches.” We’re proud to be Jeremiah’s coaches here at ASI, keep up the great work Jeremiah!
PLANO WEST
Samson is a super energetic 5-year-old. His favorite event is the trampolines. He loves to jump! Samson has been in ASI’s Gymmie Kid program for four years now. He has grown very close to coach Damian. Watching their class is like watching two best friends play together. We asked Samson why he loves coming to gymnastics and he said
“Because of Coach Damian! He play with me! Jumping, games, drawing.”
Samson was also asked why his coach was awesome and said “because he’s my friend”.
Coach Damian and Samson have been best buds for quite some time now. Samson’s believes gymnastics is beneficial for Samson,
“Samson has autism, the biggest benefit is the social opportunities available to him through the Gymmie Kids program. He wouldn’t be able to succeed if private, one-on-one lessons for special needs kids weren’t available. But because he has one of his favorite people by his side (he and Coach Damian go way back! <3) he is able to do so much. His progress over the past 4 years has been amazing.”
Samson’s mom chose ASI because of the Gymmie Kids program. They had tried multiple other gyms and none of them were appropriately equipped for special kiddos. Mom said “of all the activities Samson participates in, ASI is the only one that’s invaluable. We’re going to be lifers! “
ROCKWALL
Olivia is one of Megan’s Girls Silver girls. She is 9-years-old and has been attending ASI Rockwall for a little over a year and a half.
We asked Olivia Why she enjoys coming to gymnastics, “I like coming to Gymnastics because I make new friends and I like having the ability to do gymnastics.” Her favorite Event would have to be the trampolines. “My coach explains the directions in a way that I can understand. She treats us all really well.”
In Olivia’s extra time, she is a swimmer. She swims for RACE and she really enjoys it.
“Olivia is making friends, and she is developing athleticism. Gymnastics helps build her confidence and it helps her with her Swim Team.” Says her mother, when asked how Olivia is benefiting from Gymnastics. “
We asked her Parents Why they chose ASI. “We really appreciate the *Safety First* atmosphere at ASI. Your staff is so friendly and accommodating. This is a great place for all kids, any skill level.”
ASI is extremely fortunate to have such a great athlete in our gym and we look forward to what the next year has for Olivia.
ASI is proud to present Coach Labiba! After working in sales at ASI for over a year, she has now taken on a few Kidz Gym classes and loves every minute of it! Labiba describes her coaching style as “happy, progressive, attainable” and her favorite event to coach is bars! Labiba’s passion for working with children began through her 4 1/2 years of volunteering at the Allen Public Library and Kids Learning Center, where here mother worked and where her love of working with children grew. Through her volunteer work, she realized that she wanted to influence children by offering them guidance and encouragement. Labiba describes her coaching style as “happy, progressive, attainable.” She also believes that gymnastics has countless benefits for children, such as building self-esteem along with physical endurance and flexibility!
Labiba is a natural in her leadership role as a coach. Her background as a four year Student Council member at Allen High School and Vice President of M. Student Association has helped her to prepare. When asked what she enjoys most about coaching, Labiba had this to say, “I love the kids mixture of innocence and goofiness. They have a very unique and creative mind where they like to imagine such wondrous things! That’s what made me fall in love with coaching.” We are exicited to have Labiba apart of of our sales and coaching staff at ASI Allen as she gets to inspire and motivate children on a daily basis!
FIREWHEEL
Coach Jose has been a member of ASI Firewheel for about six months now. He currently coaches Boys Gymnastics and Power Tumbling classes along with all of our fun products. Coach Jose loves coaching at ASI ” I love how every time I go to work, I know that I can put a smile on kid’s face. I also like how everyone at ASI was so welcoming and helpful i teaching me how to coach.”
Jose believes gymnastics, ” is great because it gives kids a chance to really enjoy a sport that’s not highly talked about, and gives them tools you can use in the real world; discipline and responsibility to name a few.”
Coach Jose was part of the varsity gymnastics team for three years in middle school and was also active in soccer. Jose is currently attending North Garland High School.
Thank you Coach Jose for all you do! We are so excited to see what is in store for you.
KELLER
Keller is happy to introduce Coach Ivan. Ivan has been coaching at ASI for only 4 short months, but his coachingexperience spans more than 16 years! In addition to his coaching experience, Ivan spent ten years as a gymnast himself, so he has a great perspective when it comes to connecting with his students. His strong coaching/gymnastics background make Ivan an amazing asset to ASI Keller, where he coaches girls, boys, and power tumbling classes.
In addition to coaching, Ivan has 3 adorable children of his own that help him keep fit. Ivan is well-liked among his co-workers, and has earned the trust and love of his students in a very short time. While he appears quiet off the gym floor, his coaching style is “fun, energetic and positive”. You can tell that he is having as much fun as his gymnasts and it’s a treat to watch him coach, whether it’s a class or fun product. Ivan loves coaching at ASI because of the friendly atmosphere with the other coaches and he loves that ASI makes work fun. We feel so lucky to have a coach with Ivan’s expertise here in Keller!
PLANO WEST
Cristina is one of our new coaches! She has only worked at ASI Plano West for six months. She came to us referred by one of our awesome coaches. She began her ASI Journey as a sales representative and is excelling in that position. She has recently started to help our with our after school program as an assistant but hopes to become a lead soon. She has also worked birthday parties on the weekends as well. She works tons of fun products to match her fun personality.
Cristina graduated from Liberty High School and is currently attending the University of Texas at Arlington. She stays fit by walking around her campus and working out. Cristina has previously played basketball, volleyball, tennis, and soccer. She played soccer with FC Dallas for two years and also joined her high school soccer team. Sports were a requirement in her family!
Cristina’s favorite product to coach is the after school program. We asked her what she loves most about coaching and she said:
“The kids, I love seeing them come off the bus and run to hug me. No better feeling than seeing my kiddos excited to unwind from school and play and simply enjoy the aspect of being a kid.”
Cristina believes gymnastics is beneficial for kids because, “it allows them the opportunity to break certain fears they might have, to open up and push their limits, and to keep striving to improve.” The kids know if they are going to be in coach Cristina’s group that they will have a fun, entertaining, and rewarding day!
ROCKWALL
Coach Jackie has been coaching at ASI Rockwall for a little over a year now. She currently coaches Our Recreational Girls Gymnastics Classes – Bronze level and several Kidz Gym classes. She has also began coaching some Power Tumbling classes. She also works some of our fun products, including Birthday Parties, Camp, Open Gym and Parents Night Out.
Jackie says the thing she loves the absolute most about coaching at ASI is that she has the opportunity to impact every child that enrolls in one of her classes. She hopes they remember her way past their days at ASI.
In her spare time, Jackie enjoys wrestling. She is a member of the womens wrestling team at Rockwall High School and she is ranked 1st in the state right now.
“Patient, Motivating, and fun” This is how Jackie described her coaching style.”Gymnastics is great for kids, because it instills good habbits in these kids and they are learning how to control their bodies and interact with their peers.”
We are very lucky to have such an amazing “team player” not only as a coach here at ASI but as a part of the ASI family.
ASI Allen is proud to present Coach Leslie! After coaching three years at Eagle Wings Athletics, Leslie has been a very cheerful and an enthusiastic coach here at ASI for the past three months. She started coaching Girls Gymnastics classes along with our Open Gyms and Parent’s Night Outs! Her favorite event to coach is beam where she can be really be creative with teaching the skills through progressions! Being a former gymnast and going through our intensive training has really helped her become one of our breakout coaches that parents requests on a daily basis. Leslie was first introduced to the sport by her mom, who was also a gymnast. When Leslie became gymnast of the month, she realized that gymnastics was her passion and this is the same passion that she brings everyday when coaching her classes!
Her experience with working with children extends from just coaching gymnastics. Coach Leslie has worked in childcare development at Heights Baptist Church, and shortly after coaching at Eagle Wings, she nanny-ed and assisted Goddard School in Allen. She decided to return to coaching gymnastics after a three year break because missed seeing the smile on a child’s face when they master a skill that they have been working very hard to achieve. Leslie describes her coaching style as “creative, fun, and structured.” She understands that the foundation that a child gains in gymnastics is one that they can take in implement in their lives and other sports on a daily basis. Coach Leslie is already making a difference in every child that she’s coaching and we can’t wait to see where this journey of coaching takes her!
Firewheel
Coach Hannah has been a member of ASI Firewheel for about a year. She currently coaches a variety of classes along with all fun products. Coach Hannah loves coaching at ASI ” I love getting to see kids conquer their fears and improve more than they thought possible. Gymnastics can be a scary sport sometimes and kids can have a preconceived fear of doing certain events or skills and getting to see them overcome their fears and perform the skills is one of the most rewarding parts of my job. It’s so nice to be a part of building a kids confidence up!”
Hannah loves to be encouraging and energetic. She participated in cheer for most of her childhood and later on decided drill team and dance was something she was more passionate about. She likes to stay fit by attending a gym regularly and is also attends dance classes.
Coach Hannah believes gymnastics is ” great for kids because it teaches them the coordination and body awareness that they can use in every aspect of their lives.”
We are so happy to have Hannah with us at ASI!
Keller
Coach Amanda recently returned to ASI Keller, and we couldn’t be happier! At 22 years old, Amanda has been coaching at ASI for a total of three and a half years, and has a combined coaching experience of over six years. Amanda graduated from Fossil Ridge High School, where she spent 4 years as a cheerleader and 2 years as a competitive dancer. Amanda currently attends Texas State University, where she has taken several child psychology courses. This background combines to make Amanda a very strong gymnastics and tumbling coach. Our Keller students got to know Coach Amanda over the summer as one of their favorite camp supervisors. She made sure every day was fun and safe for each camper here in Keller. Amanda coaches Girls Gymnastics, Power Tumbling and Fun Products in Keller. She currently has Girls Bronze and Girls Advanced Gold classes in our girls program, and she’s great at helping kids progress and get ready for team. Amanda has been working with children for almost 7 years and is naturally great with them. She loves coaching bars, and describes her coaching style as “loud and proud”! Amanda enjoys coaching at ASI because she loves having fun with and creating a bond with children. She also loves the positive work environment and how everyone here truly cares about the children.
It has been wonderful having Amanda back in the gym, and she has loved getting to know all of the great gymnasts we have at ASI Keller!
Lake Highlands
ASI Lake Highlands is proud to give this month’s coachescorner to Coach Anna! A little random fact about her is that her favorite superhero is the Hulk. She has been here for about two years now and says working here is, “the experience of a lifetime.” Coach Anna works parties on the weekends as well as other fun products and coaches kidz gym classes. She also does an amazingly wonderful job working with the gymmie kids program and making sure each kids feels special and taken care of. One of her favorite things is to teach bars and says her coaching style is fun, energetic and encouraging. Anna believes that gymnastics helps give kids good social skills and skill memory for future use. She also says that, “the best part of her job is the look on a child’s face when they finally master a skill they have been working so hard on.”Since her start here Coach Anna has come a long way and grown so much in her coaching abilities!
Mesquite
Although Coach Britney just began with ASI Mesquite in April, she has been able to make an impact within her classes in such little time! Coach Britney is currently teaching girls gymnastics classes and it is obvious that she is natural, as she has a gymnastics background herself! She began the sport when she just 3 years old and later switched over to cheerleading. She cheered for a total of 11 years and it became something that she absolutely fell in love with! Unfortunately, she injured her back so she had to quit cheerleading but she knew coaching would be a way to allow her to teach something that she is truly passionate about.
Britney has expressed that she loves coaching at ASI because she has the ability to make a positive impact on many lives. “When I was in gymnastics as a little girl I always wanted to be someone who could inspire kids to become better and fall in love with something I loved when I was their age.” She has described her coaching style as fun, productive and challenging! In her words, gymnastics is great for kids because “it can make a child’s mind explore his/her abilities and physical potential. Gymnastics can help a child with muscle strength and even their confidence, to believe in themselves and what they can accomplish.”We are so fortunate to have Coach Britney be a part of our ASI family!
Rockwall
Lauren has been part of the the ASI family for nine years now. Five of these years were seasonal and these past four have been Full Time. She started at ASI Mesquite while in high school as a part time coach and also worked camps over the Summer at our Lake Highlands gym through her college years.
Coach Lauren has been our Gym Manager at ASI Rockwall since 2013 and she coaches a little bit of every program here in the gym. This includes boys classes, girls classes, Tiny Tots and Kidz Gym.
Lauren went to Poteet High School and she Graduated College from Texas A&M. She was a gymnast with ASI Mesquite from age 6-12. She also enjoys playing Ultimate Frisbee and she does some indoor rock climbing. To stay fit, Lauren says she goes Hiking as often as she can.
She began volunteering in her church’s children’s programs and babysitting throughout middle school and high school. Through college, Lauren earned a Bachelor’s of Science in Recreation, Parks, and Tourism Sciences with an emphasis in Youth Development and a Business Minor.
Her favorite event to coach would be Floor and she described her coaching style as “Detailed, Fun, and Encouraging.” We asked Lauren what she thought made gymnastics so great for kids, “Gymnastics is a great way for kids to grow, not only in their physical abilities, but also in their social, behavioral, and emotional skills.”
“I love working with kids in all capacities and am glad that gymnastics is a way that I get to impact their lives. I love helping kids achieve new skills, overcome fears, and gain confidence in themselves.”
We are so lucky to have such an amazing, kid loving, inspirational, and athletic coach as a part of our ASI family.
Our ten-years old Monica has been a part of ASI for two weeks only and she has already progressed to Girls Gymnastics Gold with her strength and enthusiasm to learn! Her favorite event at the gym is beam. She loves coming to ASI because not only is it fun, but also it’s a time when she sees all her friends that she loves! She loves coach Brie because, “she is awesome about giving her advice on the skills that she has a hard time with.” Her parents believe that gymnastics is a way of great exercise plus it’s so close to their home. Other than gymnastics, Monica also enjoys swimming to stay active! We are so happy to have such a hard worker and can not wait to see what the future holds for Monica!
Firewheel
Firewheel’s student spotlight for the month of September is Brooklyn! Brooklyn is 6-years-old and is in Coach Tanner’s Girls Bronze class, but she started out with ASI when she was just a year old! Brooklyn loves gymnastics and trying new skills! She is always excited to learn more every week, and comes into each class with a big smile! Brooklyn loves having Coach Tanner as her coach, “he is supportive and patient with every kid.” Not only does Tanner teach Brooklyn new skills every class, but he also makes her laugh week after week, so she’s always looking forward to class!
When Brooklyn isn’t showing off her skills and practicing at her favorite event, the trampolines, she’s dancing! Along with gymnastics, Brooklyn also enjoys dance. She loves practicing both sports! Brooklyn isn’t the only one who shows her love of gymnastics, but so does her mom! Brooklyn’s mom, Amanda, says that Brooklyn benefits from gymnastics because, “she’s working on her gymnastics skills every week. I can see how she is progressing in every area, and I love how my child can’t wait to come back next week.” It’s important for Brooklyn’s family that she enjoys gymnastics and they say they chose ASI because, “it’s close, it’s convenient, but most of all we LOVE our coaches! They make ASI what it is today!” We love Brooklyn too! She is a big part of what makes our ASI family so great!
Keller
Our 4-year-old Sophia is Keller’s Spotlight Student. Sophia is enrolled in Coach Julio’s Girls Bronze class, and has been a student at ASI since her Tiny Tots days! Sophia’s mom learned about ASI from a child she used to babysit, who attended classes here. We are so glad she brought Sophia in, because her mom has become one of our most beloved coaches, and Sophia is a joy to everyone she meets. Sophia loves Coach Julio because “he is funny and he teaches her trampoline skills”, which is her favorite event! Gymnastics is so fun for Sophia because she loves to jump and she gets to take class with her best friend, Charlotte. In addition to gymnastics, Sophia enjoys dance. Gymnastics is great for Sophia because it helps build muscle and endurance for any other sport. ASI is the gym of choice for Sophia’s parents because ASI uses progressions that are appropriate for any age. Sophia is a sweet, funny, smart child who picks up skills quickly. We can’t wait to see how far she takes her gymnastics!
Lake Highlands
ASI LakeHighlands is happy to give the studentspotlight this month to Mari! She is a part of our Power Tumbling program and has worked her way all the up to the gold level this year. Mari is just 9-years-old and loves coming to ASI. Outside of doing gymnastics she loves to go out and play soccer with her friends whenever she can. Coach Dylan has working hard with her to perfect her skills and has helped her to love the trampolines. One of the biggest reasons she enjoys being here is just the atmosphere that our gym creates for students. Her mom says that she feels gymnastics has helped her gain large amounts of confidence and stay in shape. Over her time here Mari has grown into an awesome gymnast.
Mesquite
It is awesome to say that 12-year-old Isabela has been with ASI Mesquite for a total of 10 years now! With hard work and dedication, she has worked her way up to our Girls Team Level 3, which is phenomenal! With addition to her power tumbling class, she is currently attending classes four days out of the week.
Isabela feels that gymnastics is a huge part of her life because it is challenging and there is always something new to learn. Coach Carly has expressed that Isabela is one of her all time best students! This may be why she has been awarded most improved 2 years in a row!
We asked Isabela’s mom why she felt gymnastics was benefiting her child and she explained that “It has been great for building her strength, flexibility and endurance. It also helps improve focus and concentration. It is challenging and keeps her striving to do better; as soon one skill is mastered there is a new one to learn. It has proven to her that hard work pays off.”
Isabela is not the only member in her family that enrolled with us. She attends classes with her 2 siblings, which is why the Rivera family has a special bond with ASI Mesquite! We went on to ask mom why ASI? “COACHES! Coaches are encouraging when providing constructive criticism and are always the first to celebrate when new skills are accomplished. They work with the child to bring out their best while keeping it fun. As a plus the coaches are excellent role models.” ASI Mesquite is so fortunate to have a relationship with this amazing family! We all look forward to see what else is in store for Isabela.
Rockwall
Elissa is one of Coach Marisa’s Students here at ASI. She has been a student at ASI Rockwall for going on 4 years now.
“I love coming to ASI! I get to spend time with my awesome Coach Marisa, play with friends and bounce on the trampoline.”
Elissa loves any activity that involves throwing balls. She say’s if you would agree with her that dancing is a sport, then that would be her absolute favorite.
“We are so appreciative of the Kidz Gym program. We utilize the program to augment Elissa’s physical therapy, and as general intervention therapy. But, most importantly the program provides Elissa that opportunity to participate in a peer setting in an activity that she really enjoys, while still receiving the extra guidance needed.” Mom says.
We asked Elissa’s parents Why they chose ASI, “It is apparent that ASI puts significant effort and attention in the Kidz Gym program and the training of the Kidz Gym coaches. Her current coach is Marisa, and former coaches Matt and Summer, are outstanding individuals and have such a positive influence on Elissa.”
The Woodlands
The Woodlands is happy to give our student spotlight for September to Lainey! Lainey is 3-years-old and has been part of Gymmie Kidz for four months with coach Tabitha. Lainey’s favorite events are trampoline and pit! When we asked her why she loves coming to gymnastics she said that she “enjoys playing on all the fun equipment and gaining strength and skills.” Lainey also really enjoys going to pools and splash pads to play in the water.
Lainey thinks Coach Tabitha is awesome because she is very sweet and patient. She helps Lainey work on her gymnastics skills and makes it fun when Lainey is in a grumpy mood. Lainey especially loves that Coach Tabitha makes super hero capes for her too!
Lainey’s mom said, “Lainey is improving her balance, coordination, and strength. She is practicing following directions and focusing on a task.” She said she chose ASI because of the Gymmie Kidz program and because our coaches are very kind and patient.
ASI Gymnastics Takes a Look at Balancing Winning at All Costs versus Safety in Gymnastics
During 2017, the gymnastics industry is in the news with many allegations of abuse. The subject motivated David Holley, owner of ASI Gymnastics to speak out on methods to assure child safety and minimize abuse in child sports. ASI Gymnastics video explores the role of governing bodies in sports, and the use of technology, specifically video surveillance to protect athletes and coaches in sports today.
The video delves into the history of ASI Gymnastics and how safety is designed to swiftly investigate any incident, and especially serious allegations of abuse. Abuse at ASI Gymnastics includes physical, emotional, mental, and sexual abuse.
This documentary discusses several allegations that occurred at ASI Gymnastics since 1991. ASI had two coaches convicted of abuse prior to 2002. In 2002, ASI installed video in all of their gym locations. All three allegations since that time were proven false by video, and no action was taken.
David Holley hopes this will inspire others in youth sports, but specifically in gymnastics to value child safety ahead of win at all cost, and adopt policies that protect children, coaches, and the integrity of youth sports.
