Michigan Academy of Gymnastics, Inc. , located in Westland and Ann Arbor, has experienced a tremendous growth in its enrollment over the past several years. This created a very special need in securing instructors with Olympic Level and sport educational credentials. The young gymnasts need instructors with the experience necessary to continue each individual’s growth potential within the structure of our "TOTAL PROGRAM".

There is "NO GUARANTEE" that each student will reach the Olympic Level in Gymnastics Competition! The Olympic Level accomplishment depends upon each gymnasts "Physical", "Mental", "Social" and "Psychological" development.

Michigan Academy of Gymnastics, Inc., has o­n its staff, many instructors with proven records of developing gymnasts to National Levels of competition. Michigan Academy selects its staff members with regards to the academic achievements and athletic achievements. Our staff has great deal of experience of either competing in gymnastics, teaching or coaching gymnasts at Local, State, Regional and National Competitions. This standard is incorporated into both the Boy's and Girl's Programs.

These coaches have achieved the status of "Master of Sport" and "Honored Master of Sport" Gymnastic Certification by achieving specific academic and athletic requirements from the Bulgarian government.

Debra Dest, Kinder Program Director
Debbie has joined our staff full time after teaching in the public and charter schools. Debbie has been our Summer Camp Director the past three summers. Debbie is providing strong organization skills and direction to our Kinder Program.



Douglas A. Rowe, Owner and Director is a graduate of Wayne State University, with majors in Health, Physical Education and Recreation; General Physical Sciences, and Social Science. From 1969 to 1979, a teacher as well as Football, Baseball and Gymnastics coach at Riverside High School in Dearborn Heights, Michigan. The gymnastics program was developed in the summer of 1976 at Riverside High School, called the Rebel girls Gymnastics Club. Our current program was incorporated in July, 1978 and our first gym was opened in Garden City, Michigan in October of 1978. I have been the sole owner and director of Michigan Academy of Gymnastics, Inc.

Among other responsibilities, I was first appointed in 1978 as the Education and Competition chairman by the U.S.G.F. State Director. My position then became an elected position in 1985. I was elected to our USA Gymnastics State Board as the junior Olympic Director for Michigan in 1985 and have been returned to this position every two years. My main responsibilities for the Michigan Board has been development of the competition calendar and rules for competition interpretation from the Rules and Policies book from USA Gymnastics for the coaches in Michigan. I assist with State and Regional Mini‑Congresses each year as a clinician and as the Skill Evaluator Test Administrator. Certifications include Safety Certification, P.D.P. Level o­ne Certified, P.D.P. Level Two Certified, Skill Evaluator and P.D.P. Level o­ne Clinic Administrator.

Our staff is USA Gymnastics Federation Safety Certified or will be in the very near future. All of our class staff is certified in Levels I‑IV which the Blue, Bronze, Silver and Gold Classes. Our instructors have attended the Professional Development Program Level I Clinic and Test ( P.D.P. I). Certificates will be posted as we receive them from USA Gymnastics. M.A.G. also has kinder directors and teachers who have received their Kinder Accreditation Teacher Certification from USA Gymnastics, (K.A.T.).

Westland Girls & Boys Class Instructors

Florin Vescan is from Romania and has a Bachelor's Degree in Physical Education . Florin was a Volleyball player for the Babes-Bolyai University in Cluj-Napoca, Romania. Florin has been with us since January, 2002.

Malanie Mlostek, a former competitive gymnast with M.A.G., Malanie is a graduate of Indiana-Purdue University in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Malanie, while a competitive gymnast with M.A.G., began teaching while a sophomore in high school. Malanie taught Kinder classes and all levels including pre-team during her high school years. Malanie also taught all levels of classes at a private gymnastics club in Fort Wayne while a college student.

Carrie Thompson, is a former Michigan Academy competitive gymnast beginning back in 1984. Carrie was a Class I and Level 10 gymnast. Carrie received her Associates Degree from Schoolcraft Community College in 1997. Miss Carrie has been teaching classes and coaching in our program since 1993. Carrie is Safety Certified, P.D.P. Level o-ne certified, KAT certified and Skill
Evaluator certified.

Westland Kinder Instructors

Donna Girolamo, a former M.A.G. team coach, girls program director and now kinder class instructor has been with M.A.G. since 1984. Donna, originally from Pennsylvania, was a college gymnast at Eastern Michigan University. Donna taught P.E. in Ludington, Michigan in 1983. Now, Donna’s three children give her a full time assignment. Donna is Safety Certified, P.D.P. Level o­ne certified and Skill Evaluator certified.

Michele Vecheta, has been teaching Kinder classes at MAG since July, 2001. Michele was a gymnast in her high school days in Ohio. Michele is a graduate of Eastern Michigan University with a major in criminal justice. Michelle also has two children in our program.

Justen Fisher-Chlebek, is a former MAG gymnast, who now with her own children in our program, is assisting with our kinder teachers. Justen brings a strong background of gymnastics into our staff. Justen began teaching at MAG in January, 2002.

LaJune Goldsby has been teaching Kinder classes at MAG in June 2002. LaJune brings a strong dance background with her.