Meet Coach Ryan Reese, from ASI Plano West. Ryan started at ASI as a camp assistant last summer, and now he works Birthday Parties, Open Gyms, and his favorite, Gymnastics After School. Ryan is even training to become a Gymmie Kids coach, to work with children who have special needs. Ryan applied at ASI because he really enjoys working with children, and it is that same love of kids that keeps him coming into work every day. Ryan loves coaching at ASI because he gets to put smiles on kids’ faces every day.
Quote from Ryan
“It isn’t a regular work place. The people I work with are like a second family!”
Ryan grew up here in the Dallas area, and even attended ASI Plano West as a child. He must have liked it, because he keeps coming back! Now Ryan is a senior at Hebron High School, and he loves that ASI works with him to make sure his work schedule and school schedule are compatible and his education comes first. When he graduates, he wants to attend Texas State University to study Criminal Justice. Outside of the gym, Ryan likes to hunt and fish. In addition to his college goals, Ryan hopes to one day go on a mission trip to Africa.
Quote from Ryan
“I love seeing kids smile and just enjoy doing gymnastics.”
Meet Plano West’s coolest camper, Katie Case! Katie was sad to say goodbye to all of the fun she had this summer at Survivor Camp, but now that school has returned, so has Katie! Katie knows that the ASI fun doesn’t end when school begins, so she’s back at Plano West in our Gymnastics After School program! Every day after school, her favorite coaches roll up to Homestead Elementary in the Gymmie Van, and take Katie and her brother to ASI for some fun, gymnastics, fun, a quick snack, fun, maybe a little homework, fun, and MORE FUN! With all that exercise, it’s no wonder she’s such a talented athlete!
Quote from Katie
“I love the trampolines because… It’s fun being upside down!”
Katie has been coming to ASI for six years, and she is as much a part of our lives as we are of hers! Katie started in a Girls Bronze class, worked her way up to our competitive Girls Team, and now she has moved on to Power Tumbling to become a cheerleader! She’s learning “all kinds of flips!” as she puts it. With her impressive gymnastics skills and even more impressive positive attitude, Katie will always have a place at ASI! Maybe one day she’ll be… COACH KATIE!!!
Ricardo Schmitz is 8 years old, and he has had a blast this summer at Survivor Camp at ASI Firewheel! Ricardo is a very nice, very active kid. He’s tons of fun! When he grows up, he wants to be an artist, and if he were an animal, he’d be a horse. Who doesn’t like horses? Ricardo loves coming to ASI because it’s fun and active, just like him!
Quote from Ricardo
“Gymnastics makes you have muscles and keeps you healthy.”
Ricardo is originally from Russia, but now he lives here in Texas. He is in elementary school in Garland and his favorite subject is math. He loves running around ASI, and especially loves jumping into the pit. Although this is his first summer at camp, he hopes to one day learn how to do a flip. We can help you with that, Ricardo! Try a power tumbling class!
Will Latham is a fun-loving camp coach at ASI Lake Highlands. He started as a camp assistant in the summer of 2007, and now he’s running the show as a camp supervisor! Will’s students and co-workers agree, he’s the camp comedian. Will says he finds joy and success anytime he can make a kid laugh.
Quote from Will
“I love kids! This is the perfect job.”
In addition to his high energy and perfect comedic timing, Will also has two black belts, so don’t cross him! Martial arts aside, Will’s hobbies include music, reading, and basketball. He also loves eating fine fried foods, perfecting the art of power napping, and exploring ancient mayan ruins. Can you guess which one is the joke?
Coaching at ASI has helped Will in so many ways. ASI allows Will a flexible schedule, and helps him pursue his academic goals by offering tuition assistance. Will is a kinesiology major at Texas A&M. What a great fit for a gymnastics coach! He gets plenty of exercise running around at camp!
Quote from Will
“I get paid to play games with kids! What more could you ask for?”
Will loves coaching gymnastics because he feels it is the best athletic development for kids. Take it from this future physical therapist, “the skills you acquire early on in gymnastics can be applied to any sport.”
Title: Coach Classes: Tiny Tots 1 & 2, Kidz Gym 1 & 2, Girls Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Level 1 Team.
Q: Why did you decide to apply for a job at ASI?
A: My mom coached gymnastics when I was growing up and she worked here when I was 14. I would come help her with open gyms and and PNOs ALL the time. The manager gave me a job here the minute I turned 15!
Q: What do you love about working at ASI?
A: I love walking in the door every day and being greeted by my kids’ smiling faces! It’s impossible to be in a bad mood when they are making me laugh all day.
Q: How do you think gymnastics helps kids?
A: Gymnastics is such a beautiful and graceful sport. However, it also requires an amazing amount of talent and skill. This intense sport helps kids because it provides a great deal of physical activity while remaining interesting and FUN!
Q: Why do you enjoy coaching?
A: I enjoy coaching because it allows me to make a difference in these kids’ lives. Not only am I teaching them cartwheels and handstands, but also how to work hard, follow instructions, and believe in themselves.
Q: What’s one of the proudest moments you’ve had as a coach?
A: My proudest moments as a coach are when my kids FINALLY accomplish a skill that has been giving them trouble and they’ve been working on for while. I absolutely love the sense of accomplishment it gives them…not to mention the confidence boost! Being able to tell them, “See, I TOLD you you could do it!!” is one of my favorite things about this job!
Getting To Know You:
Q: Where are you from?
A: I was born in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, but I’ve lived in Royse City, Texas for most of my life.
Q: Are you currently in school (college/high school) and where?
A: I’m currently attending Texas Woman’s University in Denton and I’m studying nursing.
Q: What’s something someone would be surprised to know about you?
A: I have 8 chickens!
Q: What are your hobbies/interests outside of working at ASI?
A: I love reading, singing, playing piano, and hanging out with my family and friends
Q: What sports and activities did you participate in while growing up?
A: I was in gymnastics, soccer, Girls Scouts, Sea Scouts, 4-H, and swimming. I also volunteered at the Dallas Zoo when I was 11-14 years old!
Q: Have you ever coached or taught children before?
A: I have been teaching gymnastics at ASI for five and a half years now 🙂
Q: What is one goal you’d like to accomplish in your lifetime?
A: I want to see the play Wicked on Broadway! In the front seat of course 😀
Q: If you could be anyone in the world (living or dead) who would you be and why?
A: The owner of Starbucks…because then I could have as much Starbucks as I wanted!!
