Some gyms are cold places, where gymnasts go solely to train, nothing else. The gymnasts are not friends with each other and do not socialize out side of the gym and are bitter rivals, not rejoicing in each others successes and victories. The parents don't get on, and feel as competitive to each other as their daughters do. Parkettes is definitely not one of these gyms. Ask most of the gymnasts who train there who their best friend is, and you'll most likely hear "Everyone, we're all like sisters". The girls are with each other up to 6 hours a day, 6 days a week, they know each other better than anyone else. The girls understand each others commitment to their sport much more than any school friend ever could. They all know what each other are going through, injuries, set backs, tears and triumphs, and they are always there for each other. -- Training gymnasts ranging from recreational to Olympic Medallists, Parkettes has a long tradition of excellent. Such Olympians as Hope Spivey and Kritsin Maloney, and the latest gymnastics sensation - Kristal Uzelac. Ran by Bill and Donna Strauss, there is little doubt that it is the dedication, hard work and determination of this husband and wife couple that make Parkettes so great. When they started 30 years ago with a tumbling class at a local middle school, Trexler Middle School in Allentown. That was in the early 60's and just 20 years later they were one of the best gym clubs in the whole USA, a title they still carry to this day. In 1976 Parkette Hope Spivey qualified as a member of the US Olympic Team. Since Hope they have qualified three other girls onto an Olympic Team, but due to ugly behind the scenes politics, one of the girls, Kim Kelly in 1992, was left off the team despite qualifying fairly. This was a traumatic time for The Strauss's who knew in their hearts that Kim deserved to be on the Olympic Team. Kristin Maloney won the Senior National Championships in 1999 and successfully qualified to the Olympic Team the Following year.