About Us

Jill founded Hillsdale Gymnastics, Dance, and Cheer Center in 1986 while attending Hillsdale College.  

Jill has a B.A. in Elementary Education and Physical Education. Jill completed her Master's Degree in Educational Administraion in 2008. She was one of the first to be KAT certified, and PDP level 1 & 2 certified. She has been a State speaker for Region 5 Congress as well. In past years she coached high school gymnastics and was a certified judge. She coached National and High School Champions, Kara Cretsinger, and Courtney Shaneour, who both began their gymnastics careers with HGC at the age of five.  She co-coached the Hillsdale College Cheer & Dance team to two Nationals.  Jill is a member of Delta Kappa Gamma Society International for key women educators, and a tenured member of the Hilllsdale Chapter of Michigan Child Study. She was the chairperson for the City of Hillsdale Recreation Commission, and has been the YMCA Kimball Camp summer gymnastics instructor for more than 20 years. She has served on the Chamber of Commerce as a Board Member, and has established three funded scholarships through the Hillsdale County Community Foundation for local athletes pursuing a college education.  The Kara Cretsinger Scholarship in honor and celebration of  Kara's State Gymnastics Championship on Vault, Beam, Floor and All-Around.  The Alice MacNeil Track Scholarship is in memory of her grandmother.  The newest, Jerry Woodard scholarship in memory of her father. Jill married Bob in 1991, and has two sons, Zachary and Brooks.  

Amelia has been with Hillsdale Gymnastics for most of her life: first as an athlete, then as a junior coach, and now as a full time staff member. Amelia has a Bachelor of Science in Education degree from Western Michigan University, endorsements in Emotional Impairment and Learning Disabilities, and 5 years of classroom teaching experience. Amelia has an extensive background in Special Education and aims to create inclusive/adaptive gymnastics classes for all athletes. Amelia earned regional gymnastics honors while attending Hillsdale High School and went on to Concordia University in Ann Arbor where she was a member of the Pom Team. Amelia later transferred to Western Michigan University to study special education. She continued dance at WMU and cheered collegiately. After graduating, Amelia married Brian and the pair moved to St. Joseph for Amelia's teaching job. Amelia coached at Power In Motion during her time in West Michigan where she learned up-to-date spotting techniques. and co-coached the pre-team. In 2017, The Jacksons moved back to Hillsdale County to welcome their first child, Clinton, in June 2018. Amelia currently teaches gymnastics classes, dance classes, coaches the level 1 Filly cheer team, and assists with the competitive gymnastics team at Hillsdale Gymnastics, Dance, and Cheer Center.