Staten Island Elite Cheer

 Liz started Staten Island Elite in 1996.  Marking this as her 15th season as owner and head coach of the program, she transformed Elite from a beginning program to a national championship program.  Along the way, she watched her Gems grow from elementary school to college graduates and she gained a second family-- (that she still isn't sure she asked for!) 

 Liz has helped coach many winning teams throughout Staten Island.  She was also the coach of St. Teresa Grammar School and Notre Dame Academy HS, during some of their best seasons. Liz most recently helped with the choreography of the St Christophers Elementary school Novice CYO Cheer Championship team.

  Along with bringing her cheerleaders to the top level, Liz has succeeded very well with coaching.  She was the 2nd runner-up in 2000 for United Performing Association's top five National Cheerleading Coach of the Year.  She is also the NY State Regional director for UPA since 2000.  From 1996-1999 she was a member of the Eastern All-Star Cheer Dance Coaches Association.

During 2009-2010 cheer season, SI Elite's Sr team won awards for stand out choreography on 3 different occasions. This routine is a culmination of Liz & the SIE staffs input, the way SIE works best - Together!

Starting out as just one of the moms, Colleen has become the backbone of SIE, she provides the "behind-the-scenes" skills and dedication that allow our program to operate. Colleen passed the AACCA certification test during the Baltimore Coaches Conference. She is planning on taking a long vacation as soon as Jen is too old to cheer any longer. BUT at SIE you're never too old!

  Jennifer is one of the original Staten Island Elite gems, training with SI Elite every year since we began. Jen is coaching for her 8th season at Elite coaching levels 1-3. Being one of our main flyers for 12 years & dancing for Rainbow School of Dance for 12 years has given her great insight in stretching & stunting. She helps to motivate & critique all of our programs flyers with their skills by running Jen's Boot Camp for Flyers during the summer months. Jen graduated Pace University in Manhattan in May of 2007. She is currently working as a teacher's aide in a special education preschool.

Jen got married to her longtime boyfriend Michael 'Joseph' on October 3rd! Congratulations Jen & Mike!

Jennifer's favorite movie is Remember the Titans…”A water break? Water is for cowards. Water makes you weak. Water is for washing blood off that uniform and you don't get no blood on my uniform”

  Gina "Josefina" Mari cheered for the basketball & competition teams at St. Clare elementary school from 4th through 8th grade . She cheered for St Joseph by the Sea HS JV freshman year & was chosen captain sophomore year. An All American sophomore year, she also doubled teamed & was a member of the varsity team until graduation. Senior year Gina was awarded the SJS Coaches award. This is her eighth year coaching at Elite. Gina "absolutely loves being a part of the best cheerleading program on Staten Island. We have the most dedicated and talented kids. Their families have become our family," she said. She has a AACCA certification card. Gina received her bachelor's degree from the College of Staten Island and currently works in Manhattan.

Favorite quotes:

Experience is a hard teacher because she gives the test first, the lesson afterwards. - Vernon Sanders Law

Pain is weakness leaving the body. - USMC

The spirit, the will to win, and the will to excel are the things that endure. These qualities are so much more important than the events that occur. -Vince Lombardi

Let me tell you what winning means. You're willing to go longer, work harder, give more than anyone else. -Vince Lombardi

 Known as our tough guy with a heart of gold, makes us proud to have "Big" Bob as part of our staff since Elite's inception.  With his experience as a former gymnast and competitive gymnastics team head coach, as well as his strength as a U.S. Marine, his tremendous heart makes him so popular and one of the best coaches on SI for more than 20 years.  Big Bob holds gymnastics certifications from COA and USA, as well as a cheerleading safety certification from NCA.

Lauren also known affectionately as "Quinny' will be graduating from the College of Staten Island with a degree in Childhood Education. She is a graduate of St Joseph by the Sea HS. She was inducted into the National Honor Society 2006 for carrying an average above 90% for the at least 3 years of school.

Quinny has been a part of Staten Island Elite for the past 10 years. She was a part of 3 National Championship teams in that time. She has competed in the stunt group division along former Diamond team members Wendy Perroth & Katie Kearns & also double teamed one season between Diamonds & Emeralds.

She has coached for 6 seasons at SIE. Starting out as a Rhinestone coach along with Amanda Gorman & tumbling coach Alex Thaten. She also coached the Youth Level 2 Rubies team with Christine Honadel for 2 seasons.

Christina a.k.a. C Lo was a competitive Level 9/10 gymnast at the Staten Island YMCA (North Shore) for 12 years.  She has been coaching gymnastics for about 13 years and currently works at the Madison YMCA in NJ as an Associate Gymnastics Director for 10 years.  She was also a proud member of Gemsation for 3 years.  Christina has been coaching with SIE for about 6 years.
  
Favorite Food: CoOkieS -- I am the official cookie monster, forget that blue furry guy on sesame street. LOL  It's all me!....Oh Let me not forget those Chocolate Bars at the beginning of the year fundraiser.  Every year I have looked forward to when they finally arrive. Did someone say they were selling girl scouts cookies??? I will have 10 boxes because I like to round it out to the nearest number a.k.a cannot add. LOL

WHAT MOTIVATES ME IS SHEER DETERMINATION AND HARD WORK.

Christine Honadel (but everyone calls her honny) has been a part of the Staten Island Elite program for 10 years. This will be her 4th year coaching for us. Christine has been a member on just about every SIE team and has filled in for someone almost every year, once while learning the routine an hour before competing! 

A graduate of St. John Villa Academy HS, she is currently a teachers assistant at Little Miracles Preschool for children with autism. She is going to school at Empire State college to be a special ed teacher.

Honny has also coached PAL cheerleading for 2 years.