🌟 How It All Began
The story of Blaze Elite Cheer Winston-Salem begins during one of the most challenging times in recent history – the COVID-19 pandemic that began in 2020. When the world turned upside down and social distancing became the norm, young athletes in Winston-Salem, North Carolina found themselves without their usual outlets for connection, competition, and community.
🏞️ Born from Innovation and Necessity
What started as a senior project became something much more meaningful. As traditional indoor activities were suspended and everything shifted outdoors, Coach Niko saw an opportunity to create something special, with the support of her mother, Coach Grace, who stepped in to help with logistics and coordination. They began organizing cheerleading activities in Winston-Salem's beautiful outdoor spaces – places like Miller Park and Hanes Park became our training grounds.
Coach Lea, who started as both an assistant and cheerleader during those early days, was instrumental in helping develop the program's foundation. Her passion for academics and education was evident from the beginning, and she would later become a cornerstone of Blaze's commitment to scholar-athlete development.
The outdoor setting wasn't just a necessity; it became part of our identity. Fresh air, open spaces, and the natural energy of our parks provided the perfect backdrop for young athletes to safely connect with each other while staying active and engaged in something they loved.
🎓 College Years and Keeping the Dream Alive
When COVID restrictions lifted and Coach Niko graduated, she made the decision to focus on her college education, which drove the program's temporary break. Coach Grace, understanding the importance of education, took a backseat from the program and continued her work in the school system. Coach Lea also stepped back to focus on her own academic and professional development.
But something beautiful happened during this time – the athletes themselves weren't ready to let go of what they had built together. They kept asking for Blaze to return. They had experienced something special: a program that wasn't just about cheerleading, but about community, growth, and belonging.
Coach Niko's experience cheering at the college level only reinforced what she already knew – the impact that Blaze Elite had made on both her and her athletes was profound and lasting. The bonds formed, the confidence built, and the joy shared couldn't be easily replicated.
🔥 The Re-Gathering: Bringing the Team Back Together
When Coach Niko decided it was time to officially bring Blaze back, she knew she couldn't do it alone. She reached out to Coach Grace and Coach Lea, and the three women who had started this journey together were ready to reignite the flame.
Each brought their own evolved expertise to the new venture. Coach Niko, now with college cheerleading experience, stepped into her role as owner and head coach. Coach Grace, with her deep understanding of program logistics and her continued work in education, became the program manager, handling all the behind-the-scenes coordination that makes Blaze run smoothly. Coach Lea, whose passion for academics had only grown stronger, evolved into the team's academic advisor and coach – making her the perfect person to oversee Blaze's commitment to scholar-athlete development.
✨ Season Two: #ThePopOut
Now we've arrived at Season Two – #ThePopOut – and we're more excited than ever! What began as a pandemic project has evolved into a comprehensive youth development program that serves athletes ages 5-18 across five different teams, with a coaching staff whose roles have evolved to serve every aspect of our athletes' development.
👥 Our Volunteer Leadership Team
The heart of Blaze Elite's success lies in our dedicated volunteer leadership team. Every coach and staff member donates their time because they believe in our mission – truly embodying the community volunteerism we teach our athletes. Each brings unique strengths that serve our athletes' complete development:
Coach Niko serves as our owner and head coach, bringing her college-level cheerleading experience and the original vision that started Blaze during COVID. Her leadership ensures that every athlete receives top-tier coaching while maintaining the community-focused values that define our program.
Coach Grace operates as our program manager, handling all the logistics that keep Blaze running smoothly – from scheduling to communications to event coordination. Additionally, she serves as our flexibility and strength coach, ensuring our athletes develop the physical foundation they need to excel safely. Her background in the school system brings valuable educational perspective to our program.
Coach Lea has evolved from her early days as an assistant and cheerleader into our academic advisor and coach, where her passion for education truly shines. She oversees our study hall program and ensures that academic success remains central to the Blaze experience. Coach Lea embodies our belief that true success means excellence both on the mat and in the classroom.
Coach Nae joined our volunteer team in Season Two as our communications manager, bringing fresh energy and organizational skills to help keep families connected and informed. As our newest staff member, she represents the continued growth of our Blaze family and our commitment to building a strong support network for our athletes.
🎯 Our Core Values and Mission
💝 Financial Accessibility
Coach Niko is passionate about keeping cheerleading accessible to all families. Prices are intentionally kept low because we believe every child deserves the opportunity to experience the joy, discipline, and community that cheerleading provides, regardless of their family's financial situation.
🎨 Blending Traditions
One of the things that makes Blaze Elite unique is our commitment to preserving and blending different cheerleading styles. We honor the traditional Stomp-n-Shake style that has deep roots in our community, while incorporating modern All-Star techniques. This creates a fluid, unique trademark that is distinctly Blaze.
📚 Serving the Whole Child
We believe in developing the complete person, not just the athlete. That's why academic support is built into our program, with Coach Lea leading our scholar-athlete initiative. Through required study hall sessions and ongoing academic mentoring, we ensure our athletes are succeeding in school as well as on the mat. Coach Lea's dedication to educational excellence means that every Blaze athlete understands that education and athletics go hand in hand.
💪 Character Development
Personal accountability, leadership, teamwork, and collective values aren't just words we say – they're principles we live by. Every practice, every competition, and every community event is an opportunity to build character and develop life skills that extend far beyond cheerleading.
🤝 Community Engagement
Coach Niko believes strongly in exposing students to volunteer work and community service, and our volunteer coaching staff leads by example. Every coach at Blaze Elite donates their time because they believe in giving back to the community. It's not just about building college applications (though that's a nice bonus) – it's about developing a sense of civic responsibility and understanding how we can contribute to making our Winston-Salem community stronger. When our athletes see their coaches volunteering their expertise and time, they learn that service isn't just something you do – it's something you live.
🎓 Looking Toward the Future
Whenever possible, Coach Niko brings students on college visits, helping them envision their futures and understand the opportunities that education can provide. We're not just preparing athletes for the next competition; we're preparing young people for life success.
📏 High Standards with Heart
At Blaze Elite, we maintain high standards with honest feedback, but we believe in generous praise when it's earned. This approach helps athletes develop resilience, self-awareness, and the confidence that comes from genuine achievement.
👨👩👧👦 Age-Appropriate Excellence
While our styles are fun and sassy, we never lose sight of age-appropriateness. We want our athletes to express themselves creatively and confidently while maintaining the values and boundaries that keep cheerleading positive and empowering for young people.
🏡 Why Winston-Salem?
Winston-Salem isn't just where we're located – it's who we are. This city has embraced Blaze Elite from the beginning, and we're proud to be in partnership with the City of Winston Salem Parks and Recreation. Our community's diversity, spirit, and commitment to young people makes it the perfect place for Blaze Elite to thrive.
From our practices at South Fork Community Center to our participation in WSSU events and local parades, we're woven into the fabric of this community. Winston-Salem families have welcomed us, supported us, and helped us grow from a COVID project into a true community asset.
🚀 Looking Ahead
As we embark on Season Two, we're excited about the foundation we've built and the future we're creating. Every athlete who joins Blaze Elite becomes part of this story – a story of resilience, community, growth, and the power of young people to inspire positive change.
We invite you to become part of the Blaze Elite family. Whether you're 5 or 18, whether you're a beginner or an experienced athlete, there's a place for you in our story. Come find your fire with us!