Christine Mellas
General Manager • MONMOUTH 10 YEAR CLUB! ♥
USAG SafeSport Certified • USAG Safety & Risk Certified • CPR Certified
“I began my work career at age 15 scooping ice cream for 4 years at 40 flavors in Colonia NJ where I remember being so nervous on my first day. Being a patent secretary for 7 years at Siemens Corporation was easy compared to raising 3 children. When my youngest was 3, I returned to the workforce as an Assistant Preschool Teacher with Oak Hill Christian Pre-School in Howell. My favorite years working with children were no doubt as a Girl Scout leader for 10 years. Funny story because being a Girl Scout leader actually surprisingly led me to Monmouth Gymnastics after my daughter, Alena at age 5, rang the doorbell to sell Girl Scout cookies to the owner of Monmouth Gymnastics. One year later Karen offered me a fun part-time job as a preschool gymnastics coach which blossomed into a full time career. 14 glorious years later not only has Monmouth grown with a 2nd location but I have grown to have a deeper understanding of what makes truly makes a person happiest! Being surrounded by enthusiastic children who love coming to their home gym and people who are not staff members but truly are my family!!” -Christine
Yuriy Aminov
REC & TEAM COACH • MONMOUTH 20 YEAR CLUB! ♥
USAG SafeSport Certified • USAG Safety & Risk Certified • CPR Certified
Jade Shloyda
REC & TEAM COACH • MONMOUTH 10 YEAR CLUB! ♥
USAG SafeSport Certified • USAG Safety & Risk Certified • CPR Certified
Kelly Alejandro
OFFICE STAFF • MONMOUTH 10 YEAR CLUB! ♥
USAG SafeSport Certified • USAG Safety & Risk Certified • CPR Certified
“I have a B.S. in Physical Education and Heath, with a Teacher Certification K-12. I have three children, two sons (twins) and a daughter. I started working at Monmouth Gymnastics 13 years ago, when I was looking for a place to call home for my daughter’s gymnastics path. That’s exactly what Monmouth has turned into for me, a home with a family!”
Dulce Drapkin
JOGA TEAM COACH • MONMOUTH 10 YEAR CLUB! ♥
USAG SafeSport Certified • USAG Safety & Risk Certified • CPR Certified
Bonnie Smagacz
REC COACH • SPECIAL NEEDS COACH • MONMOUTH 20 YEAR CLUB! ♥
USAG SafeSport Certified • USAG Safety & Risk Certified • CPR Certified
BACKGROUND :
Working at MGE for approx. 22 years. Biology major from Rutgers. Speaks fluent Polish.
FUN FACTS :
1. Working in the horse industry since 1991. Mainly with racehorses, but also with polo horses and rodeo trick-riding. Tried bull-riding just for fun.2. Competes in a variety of performance sports with her Siberian Husky, Athena Tundra. In AkC Scent Work, she is the top Siberian Husky in the USA.
3. Competed on a Power Lifting Team. Was part of an Arm Wrestling Team. Enjoyed cross-country and 5K races.
4. Worked as an Artist. Painted murals and faux finishes in private homes, restaurants and a golf club.
5. Hosts International Students world wide. 14 to date. Countries include: Germany, France, Japan, Spain, China, Africa, Dominican Republic and Pakistan.
6. Has a daughter, Summer who is working as a Gymnastics Coach while in college. Has a supportive husband, Bill who keeps up with all the activities. Also owns 4 cats: Maniac, Luna, Loki & Cleopatra.
Juliana Pandolfino
REC COACH • PRE-TEAM COACH • JOGA TEAM COACH
USAG SafeSport Certified • USAG Safety & Risk Certified • CPR Certified
“I grew up doing competitive cheerleading. Started coaching at 18 and fell in love with the sport. When I’m not coaching I like to spend time with family and friends, take bike rides in the nice weather and read.” – Juliana
Brie Moore
REC COACH • SPECIAL NEEDS COACH • MONMOUTH 10 YEAR CLUB! ♥
USAG SafeSport Certified • USAG Safety & Risk Certified • CPR CertifiedUSAG SafeSport Certified • USAG Safety & Risk Certified • CPR Certified
“I’ve been a professional trainer for over 25 years. I also worked at multiple gyms teaching step, aerobics & pilates! I’m also a certified dietitian. I’ve been a proud employee at Monmouth Gymnastics since 2014. At this point, this gym is my family. I tell everyone I know that Monmouth Gymnastics is the best. Both of my kids, my son & my daughter were both longtime team gymnasts at Monmouth. My daughter is still currently on the JOGA team & couldn’t be happier. It truly is a wonderful place for your kids. ” – Brie
Ally Val
REC COACH • PRE-TEAM COACH • JOGA TEAM COACH
USAG SafeSport Certified • USAG Safety & Risk Certified • CPR Certified
Jenn Diaz
ASSISTANT MANAGER • REC COACH • BIRTHDAY PARTY EVENT MANAGER/COORDINATOR
USAG SafeSport Certified • USAG Safety & Risk Certified • CPR Certified
“As a mom of a competitive gymnast I know the perseverance it takes to dedicate yourself to this wonderful sport. As a mother who has seen her child grow and triumph in this sport since the age of 3 I found myself spending a lot of my free time at Monmouth Gymnastics which lead me to oversee the homeschool program. This is a program wherein competitive gymnasts train in the morning or afternoon and then participate in a homeschool program right here at Monmouth Gymnastics. Many of you also know me as coach Jenn as I absolutely love teaching our recreational program. If you don’t catch me coaching you’re sure to catch me coordinating birthday parties or handling customer service in the main office. I am blessed is an understatement as I love what I do each and every day.”
Hunter Warchal
REC COACH • SPECIAL NEEDS COACH • MONMOUTH 10 YEAR CLUB! ♥
USAG SafeSport Certified • USAG Safety & Risk Certified • CPR Certified
Sydney Willhalme
REC COACH • PRE-TEAM COACH • BIRTHDAY PARTY INSTRUCTOR/COORDINATOR
USAG SafeSport Certified • USAG Safety & Risk Certified • CPR Certified
“I grew up doing dance since I was 2 and was a competitive dance since 12. While I practiced and learned all different forms of dance, I love tumbling the most. I started teaching gymnastics in college when I found Monmouth Gymnastics in 2020. Monmouth Gymnastics has become a second home to me. Getting the chance to work with and help all my students grow has been the best accomplishment of all.”
Alena Mellas
REC COACH • BIRTHDAY PARTY INSTRUCTOR/COORDINATOR
USAG SafeSport Certified • USAG Safety & Risk Certified • CPR Certified
Grace Pacchiano
REC COACH • PRE-TEAM COACH • JOGA TEAM COACH • BIRTHDAY PARTY INSTRUCTOR/COORDINATOR
USAG SafeSport Certified • USAG Safety & Risk Certified • CPR Certified
“Fitness has always been an important aspect in my life. I have always pushed myself in competitive sports and fitness . My knowledge and experience in track and field, cross county , high intensity training , fitness competitions and my participation in competitive gymnastics all support my ability to coach many levels in the sport of gymnastics . For the past three years I have been coaching various levels in gymnastics, which Include levels in recreational , pre team, usag and usaigc . Joining Monmouth gymnastics has provided me with the opportunity to continue my coaching across these levels , as well as to focus on the competitive Joga team. I am fortunate to be a part of the Monmouth gymnastics team, a team that is structured as a family, a family who supports and focuses on the wellness and growth of their athletes and their coworkers .” – Grace
Allie Kroese
REC COACH • PRE-TEAM COACH
USAG SafeSport Certified • USAG Safety & Risk Certified • CPR Certified
Xavier Powell
REC COACH • SPECIAL NEEDS COACH • BIRTHDAY PARTY INSTRUCTOR/COORDINATOR
USAG SafeSport Certified • USAG Safety & Risk Certified • CPR Certified
Sami Palone
REC COACH
USAG SafeSport Certified • USAG Safety & Risk Certified • CPR Certified
Gerardo Montoya
REC COACH
USAG SafeSport Certified • USAG Safety & Risk Certified
Jaelyn Rodriguez
REC COACH • PRE-TEAM COACH
USAG SafeSport Certified • USAG Safety & Risk Certified • CPR Certified
“My name is Jaelyn Rodriguez and I am 22 years old. Although this is only my first year coaching with Monmouth Gymnastics, I’m lucky enough to have grown up with my step mom as my coach which gave me the ability to start learning to teach other kids what I loved to do from a very early age. I competed in both rhythmic and artistic gymnastics for a short period of time, but spent my whole youth (3-18) on a competitive dance team, with more circus based interests. I spent years learning ALL styles of dance but, I always had a main focus in acrobatics, tumbling, and hand balancing. I still continue to train today, and I love sharing what I call my craft with all of my students!”
Jonathon Micu
REC COACH
USAG SafeSport Certified • USAG Safety & Risk Certified • CPR Certified
“I’m 22 years old and have a background in calisthenics and general athletics. I’m soon to be NASM certified and have a passion for fitness that I hope to spread to all the students I’m fortunate enough to teach gymnastics to and train. Although my time here has started relatively recently, Monmouth has been a wonderful and safe environment and I’m proud to be able to help teach as well as create memories here that will last forever.”
Zarina Alcaraz
REC COACH • SPECIAL NEEDS COACH
USAG SafeSport Certified • USAG Safety & Risk Certified • CPR Certified
“My name is Zarina Alcaraz . I started gymnastics since I was 5 years old . I had amazing days of hard work as a gymnast as well as winning 1st places on the national competitions. This sport gives you a head start in life. I am very proud to be a team member of Monmouth Gymnastics.”
Jaclyn Connors
REC COACH • MONMOUTH 20 YEAR CLUB! ♥
USAG SafeSport Certified • USAG Safety & Risk Certified • CPR Certified
” I started doing gymnastics at Monmouth when I was 9 years old and basically never left! My goal is to share my love for the sport with my students. I coached JOGA and then USAIGC for Monmouth for about 12 years and have had multiple local and state champions that I am still so proud of to this day. After taking a step back from coaching team to be able to spend more time with my family, I have had so much fun teaching our rec program. My husband and I have been together since high school and we have an 11 year old daughter, 7 year old son, and our 2 dogs Diesel and Dezzie. I was practically raised at Monmouth and now my children are growing up here too. “
Sam Geris
REC COACH • PRE-TEAM COACH
USAG SafeSport Certified • USAG Safety & Risk Certified • CPR Certified
Christina Oczkowski
BIRTHDAY PARTY INSTRUCTOR/COORDINATOR
USAG SafeSport Certified • USAG Safety & Risk Certified • CPR Certified
Jake Kroese
BIRTHDAY PARTY INSTRUCTOR/COORDINATOR
USAG SafeSport Certified • USAG Safety & Risk Certified • CPR Certified
Kaylee Ann Rivera
REC COACH • BIRTHDAY PARTY INSTRUCTOR
USAG SafeSport Certified • USAG Safety & Risk Certified • CPR Certified
Illyana Fernandez
REC COACH
USAG SafeSport Certified • USAG Safety & Risk Certified • CPR Certified
Jessica Kyprianou
REC & TEAM COACH • MONMOUTH 10 YEAR CLUB! ♥
USAG SafeSport Certified • USAG Safety & Risk Certified • CPR Certified
Tony Mellas
REC COACH • PRE-TEAM COACH • BIRTHDAY PARTY INSTRUCTOR
USAG SafeSport Certified • USAG Safety & Risk Certified • CPR Certified
Jess Jacobson
REC COACH • BIRTHDAY PARTY INSTRUCTOR/COORDINATOR
USAG SafeSport Certified • USAG Safety & Risk Certified • CPR Certified
Hannah Goldberg
REC COACH • BIRTHDAY PARTY INSTRUCTOR
USAG SafeSport Certified • USAG Safety & Risk Certified • CPR Certified
Makaylah Chism
REC COACH • BIRTHDAY PARTY INSTRUCTOR
USAG SafeSport Certified • USAG Safety & Risk Certified • CPR Certified
Carmela McGoey
REC ASSISTANT COACH • SUMMER CAMP COUNSELOR • BIRTHDAY PARTY INSTRUCTOR
Keisha Gandhi
REC ASSISTANT COACH • SUMMER CAMP COUNSELOR
Seth Saxena
REC COACH • PRE-TEAM COACH • BIRTHDAY PARTY INSTRUCTOR/COORDINATOR
USAG SafeSport Certified • USAG Safety & Risk Certified • CPR Certified
Tessa Strieffler
REC ASSISTANT COACH • BIRTHDAY PARTY INSTRUCTOR/COORDINATOR
USAG SafeSport Certified • USAG Safety & Risk Certified • CPR Certified
Bianca Evangelista
REC ASSISTANT COACH • BIRTHDAY PARTY INSTRUCTOR
USAG SafeSport Certified • USAG Safety & Risk Certified • CPR Certified
Kaitlyn Hardy
REC ASSISTANT COACH • BIRTHDAY PARTY INSTRUCTOR
USAG SafeSport Certified • USAG Safety & Risk Certified • CPR Certified
Jordan Villani
REC COACH • TEAM ASSISTANT • BIRTHDAY PARTY INSTRUCTOR
USAG SafeSport Certified • USAG Safety & Risk Certified • CPR Certified
Christine Henry
REC COACH
USAG SafeSport Certified • USAG Safety & Risk Certified • CPR Certified
Kristin Esposito
REC COACH • BIRTHDAY PARTY INSTRUCTOR
USAG SafeSport Certified • USAG Safety & Risk Certified • CPR Certified
Jess Widom
REC ASSISTANT COACH • BIRTHDAY PARTY INSTRUCTOR
USAG SafeSport Certified • USAG Safety & Risk Certified • CPR Certified
Anna Koechley
REC ASSISTANT COACH • BIRTHDAY PARTY INSTRUCTOR
USAG SafeSport Certified • USAG Safety & Risk Certified • CPR Certified
Billy Rohr
REC COACH • BIRTHDAY PARTY INSTRUCTOR
USAG SafeSport Certified • USAG Safety & Risk Certified • CPR Certified
Marla Rudich
REC COACH
USAG SafeSport Certified • USAG Safety & Risk Certified • CPR Certified
Natasha Tokareva
REC COACH • JOGA TEAM COACH
USAG SafeSport Certified • USAG Safety & Risk Certified • CPR Certified
Natasha began her gymnastics career at the Russian Olympic Training Center over 40 years ago, coaching both the Junior and Senior National Teams for the USSR/Russia.
Yuriy Tokarev
REC COACH • JOGA TEAM COACH
USAG SafeSport Certified • USAG Safety & Risk Certified • CPR Certified
Charlotte Mundy
BIRTHDAY PARTY INSTRUCTOR/ REC ASSISTANT
USAG SafeSport Certified • USAG Safety & Risk Certified • CPR Certified
Kelly Armstrong
REC COACH
USAG SafeSport Certified • USAG Safety & Risk Certified • CPR Certified
Kristen Weidner
OFFICE STAFF
Dana Higley
OFFICE STAFF