When Celebrities Director and Dance Department head Kelly Gray announced she was leaving last year, teacher Ekena Wilkins knew the opening was meant to be.

“Cheer was a great experience, but teaching dance has been a dream of mine since I was a girl. I didn’t choose to leave cheer, I chose to pursue my dream.”

The former English teacher and freshman cheer coach transitioned into the job smoothly.

“I know that I’m where God placed me,” Wilkins said. “I’m more than happy to walk in this new role.”
She said she is content with the opportunity to teach dance.

“I’ve been dancing since I was 9,” Wilkins said. “Dance is what I know and love.”

Celebrities Varsity Captain Sydney Jones said the new director made quite an impression on the team.

“When I first met Mrs. Wilkins she was very sweet, and she still is,” Jones said. “I knew she had a lot of great ideas for us and was really going to push us to become better dancers.”

In addition to a new director, the Celebrities now have a Junior Varsity team.

“Developing a JV team was a decision Mrs. Gray and I made months before I became the Varsity coach,” Wilkins said. “We wanted to provide more opportunities for dancers to develop in technique and performance quality. Having a JV team will strengthen the dance program, and help boost prospective Celebrities’ confidence in auditioning.”

Junior Varsity member Angel Villarreal said that now they’re being given a chance to improve their skills.

“My first year of drill team is amazing so far,” she said. “I (have) really become close to a bunch of the girls. It’s great being with friends that enjoy the same hobby and passion as you do.”

The JV team was necessary, Jones said.

“Having JV gives the girls a chance to be on the team and at the same time grow, technique wise,” she said.

The expectations for the team are still the same, Villarreal said.

“The Celebrities are going to have a very successful year because all the girls on drill team work very hard and have a passion for what they do,” she said.

Adjusting to a new coach could be challenging for the team, Wilkins said.

“Being a new coach can be a lot of pressure,” she said. “I think people underestimate how tough that can be.

Wilkins hopes to make her first year of coaching dance an enjoyable experience.

“I simply want to continue building the Celebrities legacy, and to help students have fun and enjoy dancing in my classes.”