Meet the Staff
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Mary Oldham
Hometown: Shawneetown, IL Position: Owner, 1993-present Education: BA in Clothing and Textiles and International Language from SIU and Masters in Vocational Education and International Language from SIU Experience: Years of retail management, front and back office operations. Currently: Mother of 5, volunteer at OLMC school's library and website design. Christi Kearns
Hometown: Villa Grove, IL Position: Head Girls Team Coach, Preschool Program Director, 1997-present Education: BA in Athletic Training Currently: Wife and mother of 3, Full time instructor, National Gymnastics Judge, Photographer Why I coach gymnastics: See below Diane Musko
Hometown: McKees Rocks, Pa Position: Office Manager Years with company: 18 Currently, Wife and mother of 3 and grandmother of 1. |
Coach Christi - Why I coach gymnastics: I became extremely passionate about gymnastics when I began taking lessons at the age of seven. I was diagnosed with dyslexia and a mild learning disability at an early age. My parents wanted to put me into an activity that would allow me to be successful and gain confidence in myself. Within months, I was asked to be on the team and continued to progress and be successful. With that confidence and the help of some special teachers at both school and gymnastics, I was able to learn how to overcome and work through my disabilities. I began coaching at age 13 while I was still on the team and quickly learned that my passion for the sport could be continued through teaching. I love how this sport carries over into life lessons. Hard work, dedication, team work, and organization are just a few lessons that I learned and strive to teach my students. My absolute favorite thing to see when I'm coaching is a child making a new skill after working so hard to achieve it. You can just see the confidence building and their character developing! I love when I get messages from old students saying how much they appreciate what they learned in gymnastics and how it has helped them in real life or when a student works so hard on a special piece of art that they just had to make for "Coach Christi". I'm inspired by my students every day and I hope that I inspire them. And yes parents...if your child says they want to be a gymnastics coach when they grow up...my heart swells with pride.
Call (618) 997-3505 or email: [email protected]