January 15, 2026
“Good, better, best. Never let it rest. Until your good is better and your better is best.” From social media posts to t-shirts, we’ve all become familiar with these words from Chicago’s celebrated coach at Halas Hall. Inside the halls of Palatine Park District’s Gymnastics Center those words are more than just a quote.
Gymnastics Coordinator Kelly Johnston reminds families that every child’s journey looks different.
“Progress comes in waves, and it often comes when a child is challenged or stepping outside of their comfort zone,” she said. “A gymnasts’ confidence, love for the sport, and sense of self matter far more than winning. We ask parents to place their focus on their child’s joy, resilience, and effort to give them the opportunities to grow and succeed on their own terms.”
From seasoned professionals to emerging athletes, there is broad agreement on one thing: the importance of a strong coaching staff.
“Coaches teach more than just skills and routines, they teach confidence, trust and love of the sport, Johnston said. “When coaches are supportive and committed, they create a safe environment for gymnasts to grow and develop not only as gymnasts, but as people.”
The Palatine Park District gymnastics program serves children as young as 18 months and continues through competitive gymnastics for boys and girls. For many families, the first introduction to the sport comes through Coach Nadia Hageman.
Meet Coach Nadia Hageman
“Coach Nadia is our primary preschool instructor and is often the first gymnastics coach many Palatine gymnasts encounter,” Johnston said. “Her positive impact on our programs is immense, and she plays a key role in fostering a love for the sport in so many of our young athletes.”
Hageman began gymnastics at age five in California.“I couldn’t stop flipping around in the house and joined gymnastics,” she said. “Eventually I worked my way up to becoming a Level 10 USA Gymnastics competitive gymnast.”
Her coaching philosophy centers on motivation, communication, and consistency. “Patience-patience, and more patience-is essential,” she said.
Hageman especially enjoys watching young gymnasts build skills and create lifelong memories. “They begin to connect effort with improvement,” she said. “They become more aware of their thoughts and emotions and learn how to hold themselves accountable within the sport.”
As gymnasts grow older, many are inspired by coaches who once stood where they now stand.
“Coach Julia Orlowski and Coach Billie Papadopoulos both began their own gymnastics journeys right here at Palatine Park District,” Johnston said. “Their firsthand experience allows them to connect deeply with their athletes, who look up to them as role models. They take that responsibility seriously by caring for each individual gymnast while continually strengthening the program.”
Meet Coach Julia Orlowski
Coach Julia Orlowski grew up in the Palatine Gymnastics program under the leadership of former coordinator, and now her mentor, Barb Dunne.
“I began as a toddler and progressed through the years to become a member of the competitive team,” Orlowski said. “Throughout my development, the program provided an exceptional environment for both athletic and personal growth.”
For Orlowski, success in gymnastics goes far beyond medals and scores.
“Gymnastics is an exceptionally demanding sport—mentally, physically, and emotionally,” she said. “True success is seeing athletes perform with confidence, passion, and pride. While medals and trophies are rewarding, the greatest achievement is watching gymnasts develop a disciplined, positive mindset that supports both their athletic journey and their personal growth.”
One element that sets the Palatine program apart, she said, is the annual Mari-Rae Sopper Gymnastics Show.
“This event allows all of the gymnasts to express their creativity and appreciation for the sport,” Orlowski explained. “For team gymnastics, it includes themed performances, while all participants showcase their skills in a supportive, celebratory environment.”
As a coach, Orlowski finds the greatest reward in her relationships with athletes. “Seeing their excitement and pride after mastering a skill they’ve worked on for weeks or even months is incredibly fulfilling,” she said.
Meet Coach Billie Papadopoulos
Gymnastics has also been a lifelong passion for Coach Billie Papadopoulos.
“I started competing in fourth grade at Palatine Park District and grew up in this program,” she said. “Now I have the opportunity to watch the girls grow – not only as gymnasts, but as individuals while coaching here.”
Papadopoulos believes gymnastics builds skills that extend well beyond the gym.
“It teaches discipline and time management through consistent practices and balancing school responsibilities,” she said. “Gymnastics also requires perseverance. Learning new skills takes patience, repetition, and overcoming fear. The sport has taught me goal setting, confidence and self-motivation, all of which have helped me academically and personally.”
A strong coach-athlete relationship, she added, is built on trust, communication, and support.
“Clear feedback helps gymnasts understand their technique and continue improving,” Papadopoulos said. “Mutual respect and patience create a positive environment where athletes can reach their full potential.”
What she does enjoys most is watching athletes grow in every sense. “I love seeing the girls achieve goals they once thought were impossible,” she said. “Managing setbacks is challenging, but it’s an essential -and meaningful-part of coaching.”
Parents also play an important role in a gymnast’s development.
“We ask parents to be a steady, positive presence both in and out of the gym,” Johnston said. “In the gym, that means trusting the coaches and the process, without added pressure or comparisons. Outside the gym, it means celebrating effort no matter the outcome.”
From the youngest preschool gymnast taking their first jump, to seasoned competitors refining complex routines, progress at Palatine Park District is measured in effort, resilience, and belief. Coaches like Nadia Hageman, Julia Orlowski, and Billie Papadopoulos model the very values they teach – proving that success is not defined by medals alone, but by confidence built, challenges overcome, and joy found in the process.
When gymnasts are supported by dedicated coaches and encouraging families, their good becomes better, their better becomes best—and the lessons they learn extend far beyond the gym.
