Meet the 2023 Varsity All Star Pinnacle Award Winners!

Teamwork, Dedication, Confidence, Leadership – this is The Varsity All Star Pinnacle Award.

The Varsity All Star Pinnacle Award was created to recognize athletes that exemplify exceptional leadership qualities and dedication to all star. This award is based on the four characteristics of #AllStarStrong – Teamwork, Dedication, Confidence, and Leadership. Pinnacle Athletes are leaders, encouragers, and always strive to put the team before themselves. This year, Varsity All Star opened up Pinnacle nominations to gym owners, coaches, and Varsity employees to recognize extraordinary individuals in the all star cheer and dance community.

This season, The 2023 Pinnacle Award was awarded to one athlete at each of The Summit Championships, including The Summit, The Dance Summit & The D2 Summit.

The Summit

Reagan Downes – National Stars Solstice 

Reagan is completely dedicated to the sport of all star cheerleading. In addition to being on two of the top teams in her gym, she also cheers at her school, while maintaining amazing grades. She spends every opportunity in the gym working hard for her team and bettering herself as an athlete.

This year, Reagan participated in a Senior Project aimed at illustrating the importance of athletics in the lives of youth and young adults. To support this project, she ran a clinic where all proceeds were donated to The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

Her coach, Meredith, says this about Reagan, “Reagan is one of those athletes you wish could stay in your Program forever. She is the perfect example of what every athlete should strive to be. She is genuinely kind and hard-working. Reagan is a role model to the younger athletes within the Stars family. However, as a senior this year, we are all at a loss to see her cheer career with the National Stars end.”

Click here to view the video presentation!

The Dance Summit

Arianna Paik– Studio 22 High Tek – Mini All Stars

Arianna is the epitome of a team player who exudes passion and dedication to her sport. She also has exemplary leadership qualities, and a positive attitude that is contagious both inside and outside the studio. Despite the adversity she has faced this season, Arianna maintains an excellent GPA, earning a 4.0 and all A’s on her report card. Her tenacity, maturity, and drive have motivated those around her to continue to be their true selves no matter what circumstances they may face.

Her studio owner, Jackie,  says this about Arianna, “Arianna’s dedicated and positive spirit continues to radiate both in and outside the dance studio walls. Even in the face of adversity, Arianna smiles, greets, and supports other dancers. She shows up every day ready to work by pushing herself and her teammates to the next level. Arianna is a shining example of a Varsity Pinnacle Award Winner. She embraces opportunity, shows up for those around her, and exudes confidence, teamwork, and dedication even through life’s most tragic circumstances.”

Click here to view the video presentation!

The D2 Summit

Brooklynn Riley – Aspire Cheer Academy Karma

Brooklynn Riley is a hard working athlete that strives to bring positivity to the world both inside and outside of practice. She has made it a mission for an entire year to spread as much kindness as she can. Brooklynn has created an account called Stick2Kindness on Instagram. She has devoted her free time to spreading positive messages throughout the city on sticky notes.

Brooklynn has now written and posted over 1,000 sticky notes everywhere she has been and has no intention of stopping anytime soon. She spends her free time being the light in this dark world. Brooklynn has left her positive sticky notes in hotels, cheer competition venues, on car windows, bathroom mirrors, malls, gas stations, and many more places.

She also created a sweatshirt to raise awareness of her project. The proceeds from the sweatshirt are then donated to an organization called YourMomCares- an organization supporting children’s mental health.

Her coach, Sidney, says this about Brookylnn, ” Brooklynn is exactly what we need in this world. A bright light that spreads positivity. Brooklynn is constantly receiving messages from people who find her sticky notes letting her know the big difference she’s made. She works incredibly hard both in and outside of practice to ensure people know they are loved and cared for. Everyone should strive to be like Brooklynn and spread kindness wherever they go.”