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Alonso Cheer Captain Takes Team to New Heights Through Leadership

By October 22, 2019November 18th, 2019Athlete of the Week

Tampa Fl. – October 21, 2019 – Florida Orthopaedic Institute (FOI) is proud to announce Sophia Blaze from Alonso High School as the ‘Athlete of the Week’ for the week beginning October 21, 2019.

Blaze was nominated, by Cheerleading Coach Jeri Kennedy, for her incredible commitment to her team and her contributions to her local community.

“Sophia Blaze is an outstanding leader on the Alonso High School Varsity Cheerleading squad,” Kennedy said. “Sophia is extremely involved in her Westchase community. She partakes in the ‘Speak Up 5k’ as well as the ‘Westchase 5k and Easter Egg Hunt’ for kids in her community. With a team full of underclassmen, Sophia is one they look up to.”

Staying true to her name, Blaze does not let up when the going gets tough. If she is not giving her all, then there is no success. True progress, she says, happens when you give every ounce of effort.

“I have always had a strong desire to be successful at what I do,” Blaze said. “I don’t believe in not putting in my best efforts and seeing something through. For instance, our cheer team depends on each other. If I’m not giving my best, it affects everyone and everything that we’ve worked hard to accomplish.

A leader by nature, Blaze plans to continue to lead her team and serve as a role model, while maintaining strong and steady grades as she continues to pursue a career in sports medicine.

“As a team captain, I will continue to help build strong bonds within our entire cheer program,” she said. “I will lead by example and work hard to contribute to winning a second state title for Alonso Cheer. My academic goals are to continue to study hard, achieve my best test scores and maintain a strong GPA to allow me to get into the college of my choice.”

Blaze exemplifies leadership. She knows that the role of a leader is not necessarily to take charge, but rather bring teammates to the same level so that they, too, can act as leaders.

“When you do your best, you feel it and it’s a good feeling,” Blaze said. “Don’t just make it about yourself. Help others, contribute to the team and your community and be a positive role model to others. When you do the right things, the right things will follow.”

Florida Orthopaedic Institute’s Athlete of the Week campaign is designed to focus on student-athletes, recognizing them for their hard work and dedication both on and off the field. The Athlete of the Week award can be earned by displaying one of the following characteristics:

Team Player: Athletes who are nominated for excellence in team play are chosen by a coach who feels the athlete does his or her best to put direction into action, makes a significant contribution to the team and continuously works to improve his or her skills, attitude and training.

Leadership: Athletes who earn the award in recognition of excellent leadership must exemplify strong relationship building skills, show excellent initiative and serve as role models for his or her peers.

To view previous award winners, please follow this link.

Florida Orthopaedic Institute

Founded in 1989, Florida Orthopaedic Institute is Florida’s largest orthopedic group and provides expertise and treatment of orthopedic-related injuries and conditions, including adult reconstruction and arthritis, chiropractic services, foot and ankle, general orthopedics, hand and wrist, interventional spine, musculoskeletal oncology, orthopedic trauma, physical medicine and rehabilitation, physical and occupational therapy, sports medicine, shoulder and elbow, spine and chiropractic services, among others. The organization treats patients throughout its surgery centers in North Tampa and Citrus Park, two orthopaedic urgent care centers in South Tampa and Brandon, and 9 office locations in Bloomingdale, Brandon, Citrus Park, North Tampa, Northdale, Palm Harbor, South Tampa, Sun City Center and Wesley Chapel. For more information, please visit: FloridaOrtho.com and ‘like’ us on Facebook: facebook.com/Florida.Orthopaedic.Institute