A dear friend and source of loving inspiration, Nygeir Q. Barrett taken from us too soon helped shape Flamez Elite by being the backbone and motivational support to founder Jean McCurdie. It was he who pushed her as a childhood friend to never give up and to “Keep Winning.”

Jean  Mccurdie

Jean started her cheer career back in 2007 at School 13. Her coaches quickly saw her passion for cheer and promoted her to captain. Jean graduated school 13 top of class and went on to continue her cheerleading career at Eastside High School. Her passion for cheer grew even stronger and she decided that JFK cheerleading team was where she could elevate her career. Her coaches at JFK saw Jean's passion and promoted her to captain although she was only a Sophmore.

She was proud of her accomplishments, and knew she was just one step closer to her dream if she just continued to work hard. Jean graduated high school top of her class, thereafter registering for cheer tryouts at Morgan State University. Confident she will make the team, Jean worked day and night on her routine. Her dream would come to an end when she got to tryouts and realized she didn't meet the basic tumbling requirements for an elite cheer team.

As a result, Jean ended up enrolling at Monroe College. Fueled by her failure she pursued a career in Coaching and Law Enforcement. She attended Monroe college and began her coaching career at School 13. At school 13 she faced MANY challenges. Her team did not have uniforms or the proper stunting/tumbling equipment. Jean still found a way to provide the necessities for her team. She worked alongside another coach, Tanisha who held the practices in her home when Jean did not have enough space. It was a team effort and a tough year but they managed to place 2nd Place at the Taub Doby Cheer Competition. That victory gave way to her landing 3rd Place the following year. Jean's hard work was admired and she was approached by a teacher from Dr. Hani to come and work for the new school. Jean didn’t hesitate, and went on to win two 1st place trophies back to back making her the youngest and most accomplished coach in the league. 

Alexandria Obong

Alex started her cheer career at East Side High School in her Sophomore year. That’s typically late for a cheerleader as most start in grammar school. However, starting her career late didn’t discourage her. It motivated Alex to  work hard at every practice, and always put the team first. Her passion for cheer grew beyond just being a cheerleader. Alex also had dreams of being a cheerleader for a Historically Black College University. She was obsessed with the Winston Salem Cheerleaders. Unfortunately, she would find that she wasn't skilled enough for the team.

 At first Alex blamed this on starting her cheer career late. That was until she became a coach. As a coach she learned it’s never too late to learn a new skill. Therefore, Alex began educating herself on the things she wasn't taught. Any gaps in training from her pre-cheerleading years she filled. Then she taught those things to her students and encouraged them to NEVER STOP LEARNING!!! Through coaching it became apparent that skill level wasn’t what mattered most. It was about having the support of coaches & family and adhering to the disciplines of the sport.

Like Jean, Alex would have many accomplishments in the beginning of her career. In 2017, her team came in First Place at Taub Doby Cheer Competion, Third Place at Blue Tide Invitational in 2018, and Second Place at Taub Doby Cheer Competition in 2019. In 2018 she was noted as the youngest and most financially accomplished cheer coach in Paterson. Along with a sponsorship from McDonalds and Modell’s Alex raised over $10,000 in funds which allowed for new equipment and uniform purchases. Her team could now sport varsity jackets, reap the benefits of NCA stunt classes, and be privileged to have the cities most extravagant Cheer Awards Banquet held for them at NJ’s #1 event venue ‘The Falls” were Alex was accompanied by Paterson’s mayor Andre Sayegh.