Amy Acaya
Position: Gym Owner/ All Teams Coach
Years of Experience: 12
Specialities: Choreography & Stunts
Profession: Marketing Manager for Ameriprise Financial Advisors
Favorite Quote: "The price of success is hard work, dedication to the job at hand, and the determination that whether we win or lose, we have applied the best of ourselves to the task at hand." -Vince Lombardi
Amy is the current owner and head coach for VEA. During her childhood she was involved in many sports, gymnastics and dance. It wasn't until she was 14 years old that she found her true passion in cheerleading. Amy cheered on her high school competitive team for three years and was also on the school's dance team. During those years Amy had the opportunity to perform at the Women's World Cup Finals with Jennifer Lopez and in the halftime show at the Citrus Bowl in Florida. Immediately following her graduation from high school, she began coaching for East Union HS Cheer Team and instructed the freshmen through varsity levels for 3 years. Amy got her first taste of allstar competitive cheerleading by coaching for Cheer Odyssey for 2 years. She loved the fast paced routines and level of difficulty that allstar cheer had compared to high school cheer. In 2004, Amy, along with a group of ladies, founded Victorious Elite Allstars.
It has been 8 years since VEA first opened its doors and Amy says," There have been more long practices than I can count and even more proud moments, we've experienced defeat and triumph, frustrations and excitement, shock and surprise, we've said goodbye to many cheerleaders and have welcomed even more to the gym, I have coached some of the same kids for over five years and have been honored to see them grow into young men and women. Everything has been a learning experience and I have some of the best memories of my life, so far. I love all of my families, coaches and staff at VEA and I wouldn't change a thing!"
Jasmine Kutch
Position: Program Director, Mini Coach & Senior Co-Ed 4 Coach
Years of Experience: 13 years
Specialties: Technique
Profession: Client Service Manager at Ameriprise Financial
Tim Fernandes
Position: Head Tumbling Instructor, Levels 1-5
Years of Experience: 15
Specialties: Sports Acrobatics, Trampoline & Tumbling, Recreational Gymnastics & Artistic Gymnastics
Profession: Physical Therapist
Tim has experience in both coaching various gymnastics programs and also performing at multiple levels and categories. Tim has been coaching with Victorious Elite Allstars since 2005. We have been very blessed to have such a well rounded and experienced instructor. Tim specializes in taking an unexperienced tumbler and advancing their skills through consistent technique and strength training. Tim is also a Physical Therapist which is yet another reason he is a great asset to our program.
Robert Iniguez
Position: Athletic Trainer & Tumbling Level 3/4 Coach
Years of Experience: 6 Years
Specialties: Plyometrics Training & Body Conditioning
Profession: Sales Associate for Golden State Lumber
Favorite Quote: "The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather a lack of will." -Vince Lombardi
Robert assists in the strength training and muscle development of our athletes. His exercise program is specifically designed to help our athletes in their skill progression. Robert has been coaching our advanced tumbling classes for 2 years. Under his training VEA has opened its fitness facility, CORE Performance, located at 1199 Vanderbilt Circle in Manteca. Check out www.veacorefitness.com for more info.
Sandy Culbertson
Position: Senior Level 1 Coach
Years of Experience: 12 years of experience
Specialties: Routine developement and Technique perfection
Profession: Registered Nurse
Favorite Quote: "Our lives are not determined by what happens to us but by how we react to what happens, not by what life brings to us, but by the attitude we bring to life. A positive attitude causes a chain reaction of positive thoughts, events and outcomes. It is a catalyst, a spark that creates extraordinary results." -Anon
Sandy has 8 years of cheer experience which include: Manteca Chargers, California Magic Allstar Cheer, Sierra High School and Modesto Junior College. After spending years perfecting her skills as a cheerleader, Sandy was ready to share her knowledge and devote her free time to coaching. She is on her 12th year of coaching and her passion for cheer is still just as strong. Before becoming a part of the VEA family, Sandy coached for Manteca Rebels, Sierra High School and Funtastic Flyers. During this time she also began coaching tumbling for Funtastic Gymnastics and has been instructing various levels and classes for the past 6 years. Sandy is also a nurse and her patience and caring nature will make her a great coach. Sandy is a great asset to our program with her extensive cheer and tumbling background and is the perfect addition to our dynamic coaching team!
Jennifer Henricksen
Postition: Team Coach
Years of Experience: 13
Specialties: Motion Technique
Profession: Full Time Mommy to Destani, Zoey & Cohen
Favorite Quote: "To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe." -Anatole France
This is Jennifer's fourth year with VEA and her years of experience with cheerleading have made her a great asset to our coaching team! When Jennifer started cheering for the Delta Rebels in Manteca she was nine years old. After 3 seasons, she was ready to compete. She joined the California Magic allstar cheer team and competed for 5 years. After her competition career ended she coach the Delta Rebels for 2 years followed by the Funtastic Flyers competition team for 2 years. After taking a break from the cheer world to start a family, Jennifer was ready to get back into the action of this incredible sport. Jennifer has found her home at VEA and were so glad that she is a part of our big family!
Mandi Hurlock
Position: Tiny Team Head Coach
Years of experience:
Cheering: 15 years
Coaching: 8 years
Certifications: Infant and Child CPR certified
Profession/Future Profession:
Mandi is a Lead Instructional Assistant at The Kendall School in Tracy, where she provides behavioral therapy to children with autism spectrum disorder. She is also currently attending grad school at CSU Stanislaus getting her Master's in Psychology with a dual concentration in Behavior Analysis and Counseling. She hopes to one day be a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist continuing to help children with developmental disabilities.
Favorite quote: "Just because you fail once, doesn't mean you're gonna fail at everything. Keep trying, hold on, and always, always, always believe in yourself, because if you don't, then who will, sweetie? So keep your head high, keep your chin up, and most importantly, keep smiling, because life's a beautiful thing and there's so much to smile about." -Marilyn Monroe
Mandi's love for cheering began at the age of 9 when she began the sport competing with the Tracy All Stars. She then cheered for Williams Middle School in Tracy during junior high. Mandi continued cheerleading all 4 years of high school at West High in Tracy, where she cheered for basketball, football, and competed and led her team as Captain. She continued her cheer career in college at San Luis Obispo on their Stunt Team for 2 years, cheering on the Cal Poly Mustangs at Football and Basketball games, as well as competing in the College National Championships in Las Vegas. The following 3 years she competed with the Performance Athletics Riptides. While living in San Luis Obispo, Mandi was also a gymnastics coach for levels 1-4 and also coached the pop warner team San Luis Obispo Tigers for 2 seasons. Currently, Mandi is the tiny team coach for Victorious Elite Allstars and also competes on the VEA Parent Team!
Greg Brown
Position: Office Manager
Years of Experience: 7 years
Specialties: New Sign Up Registration Process
Profession: Integrated Telecom Solutions, Inc
Favorite Quote: "Challenges are what make life interesting; overcoming them is what makes life meaningful." -Joshua J. Marine
Greg has been involved with Victorious Elite Allstars since 2006. Being one of VEA's biggest supporters, he naturally started and led our first Spirit Club in 2006. His willingness to help with anything and everything and his years of professional experience in management made him the perfect Account Coordinator. If you have questions regarding your athlete's account, please see Greg at the front desk.
Frank Puente
Position: Gym Maintenance & Papparrazzi
Years of Experience: 7 years
Specialties: Floors, mirrors & bathrooms and Photography 
Profession: SuperStore Industries
Favorite Quote: "The people who make a difference in your life are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money or the the most awards. They are the ones that care." -Charles Schultz
Frank has been involved with Victorious Elite Allstars for 7 years. He does the weekly maintenance around the gym as well as being the photographer for all of VEA's events and competitions. Frank's loyalty and involvement to VEA has been a great example for our other cheer dads and has helped get more of them involved.
Monica Brown
Position: Special Needs Program Director
Years of Experience: 3 years
Specialites: First Aid
Profession: Nurse
Favorite Quote: "See simplicity in the complicated. Achieve greatness in the little things." -Lao Tzu
Monica has been involved with Victorious Elite Allstars since 2006. Her professional experience as a nurse has made her a great asset to VEA. Not only does she provide first aid at practices and competitions but her unwavering patience has been the perfect quality for our Special Needs program. For questions about our Special Needs Program, please call VEA and ask for Monica.
Lisa Mendez
Founding Member of Victorious Elite Allstars
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