Vickie Istre is the BoundeRoos Preschool Director and Weekend Manager at In’Finite ArtSports, Inc. Since seeing Mary Lou Retton on the Olympic stage in 1984, Vickie knew she wanted gymnastics to be a part of her life. She convinced her parents to enroll her as soon as possible. Her parents agreed with the condition that she try tap, jazz, and ballet as well, and her athletic journey began at Ouida’s School of Dance.
Ms. Istre, or Coach Vickie, is a USAG member, gymnastics coach and Licensed Physical Therapist Assistant. Since the beginning at Ouida’s, Vickie found that she enjoyed dance of all kinds, but loved gymnastics and quickly transitioned school year recreational fun, to year-round training at KIPS. Shortly, she joined the Kips Heartbeats competitive gymnastics team. During elementary years, Vickie participated in tap, jazz, and ballet dance recitals, including Paco Belle on Pointe. She competed gymnastics to Level 6 and participated in Pep Squad and cheer. In high school, Vickie participated in academic organizations and used her gymnastics training for cheerleading, with her squad making it to the national competition in Dallas. In 1997, She graduated high school with honors and pressed on to tackle college.
In college, Coach Vickie was employed by Linda Fedric’s School of Dance, teaching basic cheer and gymnastics skills up to standing back tucks, for ages 3-13. In addition to teaching gymnastics, she joined the dance team C.I.D. (Christian Invasion of Dance). C.I.D performed at various venues, two of Vickie’s favorites being nursing homes and opening for Ballet Magnificat. It was at Mrs. Linda’s that Vickie was reminded that her talents in dance, gymnastics, and teaching were a God given gift to be used to bless and encourage others. Once accepted into the Physical Therapy Assistant Program, she was sad to leave Mrs. Linda’s to focus on her career goals, but she graduated with honors in 2001 and accepted a position in physical therapy at the Biloxi Veteran’s clinic.
In 2012, Vickie’s nieces began gymnastics classes at In’Finite ArtSports, and as she happily helped them practice their skills, her daughter, Brenna practiced along too. It didn’t take long for Brenna to want more, enroll in classes, and be invited to join the MS Rebounder Team. Being in the gym again was nostalgic for Vickie, and when the opportunity arose to become a coach, she was glad to once again be able to use her talents to teach and encourage others.
Coach Vickie loves to encourage and empower children of all ages, especially our preschoolers, and feels that gymnastics is not just an athletic training of the mind and body, but a way of life that teaches our young ones about discipline, balance, courage, community, and confidence. She believes that with all of life’s ups and downs and twists and turns, her Faith, and her training in gymnastics gave her the ability to get back up and land on her feet. Her goal is to see that as children come into Jump’In, no matter how long they stay, they leave with knowledge and self confidence that are building blocks to last them a lifetime.
Quick Facts: Ms. Vickie has 2 daughters: Brenna, age 10 who is a MS Rebounder, and Maygan, age 4 who is an ever-present “helper” around the gym. In their spare time, they enjoy any activity they can as a family. From board games, to fishing or four-wheeler riding, they are up for adventure.