Coaches and Staff - New Hope Gymnastics

New Hope Academy of Gymnastics has an experienced staff with an unparalleled dedication to the sport. Biographies of our staff members are provided below. Clicking on the instructor's name will display the classes taught by that particular coach.

	Bill "Bee" Thoma Girls Team Head Coach, Founder/Director Born in Butler, Pennsylvania, a small town with an extraordinary gymnastics tradition. One of their highest achievements was the number of college scholarships given to their student athletes. Bee received a gymnastics scholarship to Georgia Southern University and graduated with a BS in Education, majoring in Physical Education. After college he went to work with Athletes in Action, an athletic ministry of Campus Crusade for Christ. In 1984 Bee founded New Hope Academy of Gymnastics from the roots of AIA. Bee has been coaching state, regional, and national champion gymnasts for 15 years. Bill "Bee" Thoma can be reached at bee.
	Guonian Wu Boys Team Head Coach Coach Guonian started his gymnastics training in 1971. From 1979 to 1983 he competed as a member of the Chinese National Team. He has won numerous titles on floor, pommel horse, and vault at national and international competitions. Coach Guonian originated one of the most difficult skills on the pommel horse, a skill named the "Wu Guonian" by the Federation of International Gymnastics, which possesses a difficulty level of "E." The "Wu Guonian" on floor exercise was also originated by Coach Guonian, first performed in international competition in 2006 by prodigy student and Elite gymnast Bryan del Castillo. Coach Guonian has a B.S. Degree from Sports University of Beijing, China. He spent 14 years coaching the Beijing Gymnastics Team, where he trained 7 national champions. His seven years of coaching experience in the U.S. includes training 11 Junior National Champions and 5 U.S. Champions. Two of his students have been U.S. National Team members. Since 2002, Guonian has been a member of the U.S. Junior National Team coaching staff. As head coach of the 2004 U.S. Junior Men's Gymnastics Team, the team won the title at the Pan American Games in El Salvador. In addition to coaching, Guonian Wu has been a Federation of International Gymnastics judging brevet for 12 years. Guonian Wu can be reached at g.wu.
	Scott Picquelle Compulsory Boys Team Coach Scott Picquelle was a 3-time All-American gymnast. While at Long Beach City College, he was a 2-time California State Champion and a 2-time NJCAA Champion. After moving on to Cal State Fullerton, he became a 2-time Pacific Coast Division Champion and an NCAA Division I National Champion. Having produced 32 All-Star Team members, Scott was named a So Cal All-Star Team coach 9 times. Scott has trained 17 Regional Champions and has won over 75 Team competitions, while producing numerous champions at the Conference and State levels. Scott Picquelle can be reached at scott.
	Jordan Thoma Compulsory Boys Team Coach Jordan has been an accomplished athlete his entire life -- competing in gymnastics, wrestling and, currently, college football. He now instructs our Compulsory Boys Team. Jordan is a skilled teacher and the students love his playful personality and love of sports. In addition to coaching and attending school, Jordan hosts a weekly Bible study group for his friends and fellow Calvary alumni. Jordan Thoma can be reached at jordan.
	Linda "Chilly" Tickenoff Preschool and Academy Instructor, and Compulsory Girls Coach "Chilly" has been teaching gymnastics since 1980. She began competing in gymnastics at the high school level, then received athletic scholarships to compete at the college level. She has been a certified USA Gymnastics judge for women since 1982, and a judge for men since 1998. Chilly is an experienced team coach at the compulsory and optional levels. She also especially enjoys teaching preschool-age students. Chilly believes that coaches can bring out the best in every student, no matter what their ability, in a positive and nurturing way. "Children are precious and impressionable. We should do our best to protect and nurture them." "Thanks for bringing your children to our gym, they bring joy to me!" Linda "Chilly" Tickenoff can be reached at chilly.
	Russell Gleason Developmental Teams / Boys Compulsory Coach New Hope's very own Russell Gleason possesses degrees in both Mathematics and Physics from California State University, Fullerton, and plans to pursue Masters Degrees. He aspires to be the "smartest" coach out there on the floor. Russell coaches our Developmental Boys Teams, our Level 4 Compulsory Boys Team, and Tumbling classes (beginning through advanced). He competed for three years at New Hope and won Gold medals at the State and Regional Championships. He is currently training so that he can audition for Cirque du Soleil. Russell Gleason can be reached at russell.
	Karissa Thoma Girls Compulsury/Optionals Team Coach Karissa was a Level 9 gymnast on the New Hope Girls Team. Karissa has performed as a dancer/actress in many movie, stage and television productions. No longer able to compete, Karissa brings her incredible dance skills and "coaching eye" to coach both our Compulsory and Optional GIrls Teams. Karissa Thoma can be reached at karissa.
	Jenifer Dodson Developmental Teams / Compulsory Girls Coach Jenifer is a former varsity gymnast from Lakewood High School, and has been coaching gymnastics for six years. Prior to arriving at New Hope, she coached at AGA in Long Beach. Jenifer currently coaches our Girls Pre-Team and Level 4 Girls Team. "I try to push my kids, and challenge them to do more than they think they can do, and remind them that trying their best is more valuable than doing everything perfectly." Jenifer possesses her degree in Kinesiotherapy from California State University, Long Beach. She plans to enroll in a Physical Therapy program upon graduation. Jenifer is First Aid and CPR certified. Jenifer Dodson can be reached at jen.
	Lauren Avila Academy Instructor Lauren Avila's bio is not available at this time.
	Kinsey Aherne Academy Instructor Kinsey Aherne's bio is not available at this time. Kinsey Aherne can be reached at kinsey.
	Erin Butkivich Academy Instructor Erin Butkivich's bio is not available at this time. Erin Butkivich can be reached at erin.
	Maria Canapino Academy Instructor Once a competitive gymnast, Maria Canapino is now a highly skilled coach. Maria has been involved in gymnastics since the age of 5. She was on the competitive team at Rainbow Gymnastics Academy in Hawaii until age twenty, and trained and competed until Level 8. Maria moved to California from Hawaii to expand her knowledge in gymnastics. Before coming to New Hope she coached at Rainbow Gymnastics Academy for seven years, coaching Levels 1 through 6, and also coached at Woodward West Gymnastics Camp for two summers. Maria hopes to one day open a gym of her own in Hawaii and continue to spread the great and wonderful experience gymnastics brings to the lives of children. Maria Canapino can be reached at maria.
	Sara Carlson Academy Instructor Sara Carlson's bio is not available at this time. Sara Carlson can be reached at sara.
	Ami Garcia Academy Instructor Ami Garcia was a Level 7 gymnast who trained with Coach Chilly. Now a mom and pastor's wife, Ami has returned to her passions of gymnastics and teaching.
	Amanda Hensley Academy Instructor Amanda Hensley's bio is not available at this time. Amanda Hensley can be reached at amandah.
	Sammy Muth Tumbling/Cheer Instructor Sammy has been involved in the field of cheerleading for 14 years. His vast experience includes 3 years of high school cheer, where his team was both State and National champion. He also participated in college cheerleading for 3 years. Sammy presently coaches in our Tumbling and Cheer programs at New Hope, while working as a massage therapist for a chiropractor. A certified massage therapist from Bryman College, he is also studying to become a physical therapist. Sammy is CPR and First Aid certified. He teaches cheer and gymnastics camps in the summertime, and has also been a tumbling coach at UC Irvine for the past 4 years. Sammy Muth can be reached at sammy.
	Claire Rohn Academy Instructor Claire Rohn's bio is not available at this time. Claire Rohn can be reached at claire.
	Sachi Senteno Academy Instructor Recently graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Sachi returns to New Hope as Academy Instructor and Level 4 Girls Team Coach. She also assists with the other Compulsory and Optionals Girls team training. Sachi was a skilled Level 10 competitive gymnast for New Hope and has coached academy and team since her graduation from high school. Sachi is a professional, kind and personable--loved by all her students and appreciated by all the parents! When not coaching, Sachi uses her degree in Education to teach special needs students enrolled in local school districts. Sachi Senteno can be reached at sachi.
	Rachel Squier Academy Instructor Rachel Squier's bio is not available at this time. Rachel Squier can be reached at rachels.
	Michele Tasiemski Academy Instructor Michele Tasiemski's bio is not available at this time. Michele Tasiemski can be reached at michele.
	Jenny Young Academy Instructor Jenny Young's bio is not available at this time. Jenny Young can be reached at jenny.
	Christina Zwilling Academy Instructor Christina Zwilling's bio is not available at this time. Christina Zwilling can be reached at christina.
	Sue Carlson Office Manager / Webmaster Sue Carlson came to New Hope after 18 years as a fully-licensed Series 7 securities agent and Certified Financial Planner. Born in San Pedro, California, Sue graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles with two Bachelor Degrees—Kinesiology (the biomechanics and physiology of human movement) and Economics. After working two years in the fledgling UCLA Athletic Marketing office, she ran the accounting and operations for a proprietary/custom software company here in Fountain Valley. She has served her community as PTA volunteer, Girl Scout Leader and as a volunteer in her children’s many activities. Now, as New Hope Office Manager and Gym “Mom,” Sue is responsible for Academy Administration, team meets and travel, accounting, website maintenance and, well, just about everything else in between. Her true assets here at New Hope are her compulsively organized personality, a mathematical mind…and a love of children. Workaholic, domestic diva, camping expert, sports enthusiast and over-zealous pet owner—Sue’s real passions are God and family…most of all, her high-school sweetheart husband, Chris, and her two wonderful children, Sara and Paul. Sue Carlson can be reached at scarlson.
	Georgia Ginsberg Office Assistant / Concessions Coordinator Georgia Ginsberg's bio is not available at this time.
	Wendy Squier Office Assistant Wendy Squier's bio is not available at this time. Wendy Squier can be reached at wendy.
	Jill Travers Office Assistant / Asst Webmaster Jill Travers's bio is not available at this time. Jill Travers can be reached at jill.
	Paco Petelo Web Administrator Paco Petelo specializes in the development of data-driven websites, and is the proud father of New Hope Level 5 gymnast Alyssa Petelo. Paco Petelo can be reached at admin.
	Patsy Spiro Boys Team Uniform Coordinator Patsy Spiro has been involved in the field of gymnastics for many years. Her husband Scott is a former gymnast, and she has two sons, Jonathan and Nicholas Spiro, who are presently on our Optional Boys team. She also runs a mobile gymnastics program for preschoolers. Before running her mobile gymnastics business, she was a CPA, and a CFO of a public relations firm. New Hope Gymnastics is happy to have Patsy volunteer as our Boys Team Uniform Coordinator! Patsy Spiro can be reached at patsy.