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.

	Bill "Bee" Thoma Girls Team Head Coach, GM/CEO 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." 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. Scott knows how to motivate his athletes, and has had great success in getting his athletes to achieve. 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.
	Russell Gleason Compulsory Boys Team Coach and Academy Instructor 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 Level 4 Boys Team, Boys and Girls Academy, Trampoline, and Tumbling (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.
	Krassi Varbanova Compulsory/Optional Girls Team Coach This talented coach and choreographer is multi-lingual, speaking English, Bulgarian, Russian, and Italian. Krassi started gymnastics at age 6, and by age 11 this prodigy was on Bulgaria's National Team. Her notable achievements include three Gold medals and one Silver at the 1976 Bulgarian National Championships. She competed at the 1978 World Championships in Stratsburg, France, and at the 1979 World Championships in Ft. Worth, Texas, which qualified Krassi to the 1980 Olympic Games in Moscow. While her Olympic dream did not come true (no appearance due to a serious knee injury), Krassi continued to represent Bulgaria's National Team in several international competitions until 1982. A former FIG International Judge brevet, Krassi possesses a Masters Degree in Pedagogics and Sports Training. In 1983 she began work for Bularia's Gymnastics Federation Research Team, analyzing the performance of high-level gymnasts during training sessions, and designing a more effective skill and ability testing program. She later spent four years in Italy after a special invitation from the Italian Gymnastics Federation to work with their athletes. After several years of coaching National Team members in both Bulgaria and Italy, Krassi came to the U.S. in 1998. Prior to arriving at New Hope in 2005, Krassi spent time coaching for Charter Oak Gliders and Top Flight in northern California. New Hope is proud and blessed to have Krassi Varbanova on our staff! Krassi Varbanova can be reached at krassi.
	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.
	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.
	Nikki Burrelli Academy Instructor Bio not available at this time.
	Kayla Koch Academy Instructor/Team Coach Kayla was a New Hope team member and is now a competitive gymnast for UC Davis on a full scholarship. Kayla instructs New Hope Academy classes during her summer break from college.
	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.
	Jenifer Tasiemski Academy Instructor Jenifer is a former varsity gymnast from Lakewood High School, and has been coaching gymnastics for five years. Prior to arriving at New Hope, she worked at AGA in Long Beach. Jenifer currently coaches in our Preschool and Girls Academy. "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 is presently working on her degree in Kinesiotherapy at California State University, Long Beach. She plans to enroll in a Physical Therapy program upon graduation. Jenifer is First Aid and CPR certified. Jenifer Tasiemski can be reached at taz.
	Dannielle Scholz Academy/Dance Instructor Dannielle (or Danni, as she is called at the gym) Scholz has an extensive background in dance. Danni started her career in dance and gymnastics at the tender young age of 7, which eventually led to regular weekly appearances in television dance shows over a three-year period, during her early twenties. At age 13, Danni began her career as a dance teacher, continuing into college where she studied nursing and dance. In addition to teaching gymnastics and dance to our Academy students, Dannielle also works with our Girls Teams. She is now married, with a four-year-old daughter who participates at New Hope Gymnastics.
	Sachi Senteno Academy Instructor/Team Coach 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.
	Brittany Swinford Academy Instructor Bio not available at this time. Brittany Swinford can be reached at brittany.
	Jordan Thoma Academy Instructor Jordan has been an accomplished athlete his entire life--competing in gymnastics, wrestling and, currently, college football. He now instructs our Boys Academy and assists as a spotter for our competitive girls team. He 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.
	Stephan Watson Boys Academy Intsructor Bio not available at this time. Stephan Watson can be reached at stephan.
	Paco Petelo Web Administrator Paco Petelo specializes in the development of data-driven websites, and is the proud father of two New Hope Gymnasts: Level 5 team member Tony Petelo, and Level 3 gymnast Alyssa Petelo. Paco Petelo can be reached at admin.
	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.
	Wendy Squier Office Assistant Bio not available at this time. Wendy Squier can be reached at wendy.
	John Edberg Asst. Webmaster - Photo Gallery John Edberg is the proud father of Level 5 gymnast Jake Edberg. John is our new webmaster for our Photo Gallery! If you like the photos he has taken, many of them can be purchased at slogophoto.com. John Edberg can be reached at john.