The Face of CHEER Oklahoma City Vortex Cheer Erica Evans PHOTO CREDIT: FOTO ARTS PHOTOGRAPHY
O klahoma City Vortex Cheer began with one coach’s big dream: to create a program that combined a lifelong passion for cheerleading with a deep desire for personal growth and self-development. Founder and coach, Erica Evans, envisioned a space that supported a young athlete’s technical excellence while building confidence, resilience, leadership, kindness and teamwork. Vortex was built on the belief that cheer can be a powerful tool for shaping young people both on and off the mat. The organiza- tion’s mission centers on building confident humans, one cheer- leader at a time, while creating a supportive community where athletes and families feel encouraged, connected, and valued. Celebrating its newly opened studio space at 217 NW 96th St., Vortex is expanding its offerings to include sideline cheer, competition teams, tumbling and stunting classes, leadership development programs, free community clinics, and themed camps, such as the upcoming Barbie Summer Camp. “Looking ahead, we hope to continue increasing access to cheer opportunities in Oklahoma City while growing our commu- nity partnerships and outreach efforts,” says Evans. “One of the things that makes Oklahoma City so special is the sense of community and the support people are willing to give when they believe in something meaningful. We’ve experienced so much encouragement from local families, small businesses, and community members who want to see youth programs thrive.”
At Vortex, community involvement is a core value that is represented through its free clinics, community-based fundraising events, and leadership-focused activities beyond its standard programs. “As Vortex continues to grow, one of our greatest goals is to strengthen our impact within the OKC community by creating more opportunities for connection, encouragement, and youth development,” says Evans. “Our Sideline Program will kick off in July, where we will cheer at Friday Night Lights Flag Football games. This program focuses on building confidence, teamwork, and team spirit.” In the fall, competition season begins giving athletes the oppor- tunity to continue growing their skills, perform at high-energy events, and compete in a fun and supportive environment focused on both athletic and personal development. “My dream for Vortex, from the beginning, has been to create a community where both athletes and parents feel supported and encouraged to become the best versions of themselves — not just in cheer, but in life,” says Evans. “We want families to walk into Vortex and immediately feel the positivity, encouragement, and sense of belonging that makes this community so special.” For more information about Oklahoma City Vortex Cheer, visit oklahomacityvortex.org.
32 METROFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM / JULY-AUGUST 2026
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