HOME   Staff & Facility   Recreational Program   Team Starlight   Additional Programs   Special Events   5 Star Booster Club   Starlight Links		Starlight Gymnastics Staff Our coaches are USA Gymnastics Safety Certified and specially selected and trained to safely bring out the very best in each child by encouraging them to exceed their perceived limitations. ***We are currently accepting applications for part-time and full-time coaching staff.*** Vesselina D. Ivanov  Program Director/Owner  Vessy holds a Bachelors Degree in Gymnastics Coaching from the Institute of Physical Culture "G. Dimitrov" in Sofia, Bulgaria. She has been coaching more than 15 years. Before moving to Jacksonville, Vessy worked for SCKA, one of the top gymnastics clubs in Bulgaria, and also was a coach at the Bulgarian Senior National Gymnastics Team. Two of her gymnasts went to the Olympic Games in Barcelona 1992. Vessy is one of the Founders of Starlight Gymnastics. She is safety certified through USA Gymnastics, a Certified Skill Evaluator and a USAG Professional Member.     Angie Montgomery  Office Manager   Angie participated and competed in gymnastics for 5 years. She is a former gymnastics judge in Indiana, Varsity cheerleader at Purdue University, and Captain and a two-time All American Cheerleader. She graduated from the University of Alabama School of Law.  A former Cheerleader Coach at The Bolles School, 1987-1990,  Angie is one of the founders of Starlight Gymnastics.  She is safety certified through USA Gymnastics and a USAG Professional Member.     Valentin Marinov-Ivanov  Head Coach-Team Program   Valentin holds a Bachelors Degree in Gymnastics Coaching from the Institute of Physical Culture "G. Dimitrov" in Sofia, Bulgaria. He has participated in gymnastics as a competitive gymnast and coach for more than 35 years.  He was a highly decorated athlete throughout his competitive career.  In 1986, Valentin was recognized as one of the very top gymnastics coaches in Bulgaria. Many of his students went on to become Olympic Team Members for  Bulgaria.  He is safety certified through USA Gymnastics and a USAG Professional Member.     Cheri Gillikin           Team Coach Cheri serves as our compulsory team director.  She coaches the optional team and recreational classes.  Cheri spent 14 years as a competitive gymnast. Attending the University of South Carolina on a gymnastics scholarship. Cheri has a B.S. in Physical Education with a minor in Psychology.  She is safety certified through USA Gymnastics, a former NAWGJ judge, a USAG pro member, and a certified meet director.     Alin Tisea   Optional & Compulsory Team Coach     Jen Leonard  Developmental and Compulsory Team Coach  Jen serves as the Twinkle Star/Level 2 coach.  She also assists with the Level 4 team.  Jen competed in gymnastics for over 5 years, earning State All Around champion twice in her division. She attended the University of North Florida and is a USAG Professional Member, and a certified meet director.  Jen is safety certified with USAG.     Tanya Ivanov  Preschool/Rec Coach   Tanya has participated in and coached gymnastics for over 15 years. She is safety certified through USA Gymnastics and a USAG Professional Member.     Hope Travis  Developmental Team & Preschool/Rec Coach   Hope competed in gymnastics for over 5 years. Over the past year Hope has attended various gymnastics educational seminars and clinics. She is safety certified with USA gymnastics and a USAG Professional Member.     Gina Gillikin  Preschool/Rec Coach   Gina competed in gymnastics for over 5 years. She currently attends University of North Florida with a physical therapy major.  Over the past year Gina has attended various gymnastics educational seminars and clinics.     Kara Jankowski  Assist Team/Rec Coach         Taylor Melcolm  Preschool/Rec Coach     Hilary Bertorello Mom & Tot and Preschool Coach   Hilary has been coaching at Starlight for over three years.  She attended the University of South Florida and has a dual degree in Psychology and Biology.  She is safety certified through USA Gymnastics and a USAG Instructor Member.              Courtney Schact  Preschool/Rec Coach         Melissa Garlinghouse  Tumbling Coach
		Starlight Gymnastics Facility

Built from the ground up in 2004, Starlight Gymnastics facility has over 14,000 sq. ft of space specifically designed for gymnastics use. We have a two regulation competition size floors that are 42' x 42', and all the AAI equipment was purchased new, chosen to meet the specifications for recreational and Olympic training.

We are currently accepting enrollment for gymnasts of all ages!!

 * Team Gym Area of 7000 sq. ft. *