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Open Tumbling in the fall..Tuesdays 8-9PM

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Staff

Narissa Knoble (Owner): Narissa first started coaching in 1997.  She coached the Elmwood Park Senior Bombers and Senior Competition teams. She realized after that first year, it was a fun and rewarding hobby to continue.  She proceeded to coach until 2005.  During those years, she found out that choreographing routines was her specialty.  Score sheet after score sheet wrote praises on the creative and entertainment quality of her routines.  She always looks to step out of the box with ideas, and push the girls to their maximum potential, while still keeping things fun and positive.  She also coached a few years of Elmwood Park Memorial High School within that time frame, excelling in that division as well.  In 2005, she became a program director at a gymnastics school for kids ages 3-12.  Narissa was trained in dance at an early age, and never lost the drive to dance and choreograph. She is CPR/First Aid certified, and currently going through the process of being USASF (United States All Star Federation) certified.

Kim Palko-Shamah (Owner): Kim's first year of coaching was 1992 for the Elmwood Park Senior Bombers.  She enjoyed it so much that she continued through 2005.  Kim also has 3 years experience on the All Star level being a coach of the Bergen County All Stars in 1999-2001. In 1997, she made the college cheerleading team at William Paterson, however chose a different education path, and went to a technical school. Kim has a specific eye for the clean aspect of routines.  Being a former flyer herself, she works hand in hand with flyers taking them from the most basic movements to more advanced-teaching them proper body positions and control.  She knows from experience what it feels like to be held up in the air, and she really helps to target stunt related problems. Kim became a gymnastics instructor for kids age 10 months to 6 years old- teaching basic tumbling skills, forming a solid base for which more advanced skills can grow from.  Kim believes that a mutual respect formed between the coaches and the kids creates a positive environment resulting in fun practices and successful competition results. She is currently going through the process of being CPR/First Aid and USASF certified.

Steven Schimenti (Head Tumbling Coach/Instructor) Steve has been involved in the sport of gymnastics his entire life. He trained through USAG level 8 in men’s gymnastics at Palaestra Gymnastics in Garfield, NJ. He then switched over to coaching both gymnastics and cheerleading. Steve coaches gymnastic teams for USA Gymnastics and Jersey Optional Gymnastics Association. He has coached over 20 state championship titles in both individual events and all-around. Along with his many accomplishments in the sport of gymnastics, Steve also has worked with numerous cheer teams who also won State and National Titles as well. He was the Paramus Catholic High School Cheer tumbling coach from 2004-2007. Steve teaches tumbling classes, private lessons and is the head tumbling coach of our all star teams. Steve's certifications are as follows...
- USA Gymnastics Safety Certified
- USA Gymnastics member
- JOGA member
- American Association Cheerleading Coaches & Administrators Certified
- American Red Cross First Aid, CPR and Automated External Defibrillator (AED)
- USASF Certification (in progress)

Dana De Bartolo (Tiny/Mini All Stars Coach) Dana has participated in dance and cheerleading since she was 4. She cheered for the Elmwood Park Bombers (coached by Narissa & Kim!) and then joined the Paramus Catholic competitive dance team. There, she was a four year Varsity letter winner as well as Captain her senior year. Dana is graduating from Ramapo College of New Jersey in May 2010 with a Bachelor’s in Psychology and a minor in Substance Abuse Counseling, focusing her studies on being a Guidance and Student Assistant Coordinator (SAC). She was also a member of the Ramapo College Dance Team from 2007-2008. During the 2007-2009 seasons, Dana coached the Elmwood Park Pee-Wee Bombers. Now, she works with The Cheer House’s Tiny and Mini All Stars. She focuses on teaching the children about teamwork and is a firm believer that being on a team is not about winning or losing; it is about loving what you do and who you do it with.
 
Caitlin Ritchie (Junior Level 2 All Stars Coach/Tumbling Instructor)
Caitlin has been active in cheerleading and dance since she could walk. She cheered for the Township of Washington through her freshman year of high school, before she moved and joined the Paramus Catholic Varsity Cheerleading team. At PC, Caitlin cheered for 3 years on Varsity, and was one of few that participated in both cheer and dance team her senior year. She is a graduate of Ramapo College of New Jersey with a major in American Studies and a minor in History, with teacher certification in Elementary Education. She was a dance instructor for 8 years and also coached the Elmwood Park Bombers from 2005-2009. She won many titles with the routines she personally choreographed with the Bombers. At The Cheer House, Caitlin coaches the Junior 2 All Stars and also teaches tumbling classes. She is great at building the girl’s confidence and never wants to hear that they can’t do something, because they can!
Kaitlin Durand (All Stars Coach/Tumbling Instructor)
Megan Telzer (Mini/Tiny All Stars Coach)
Kamii Nettles (Tumbling Instructor)