Toni C. Tooks-Kendrick the owner and founder of CAO Elite trained in gymnastics at College Park Gymnastics, Atlanta Bears Elite and was an all American. She attended Stockbridge High School where she was a varsity cheer leader and Tuskegee University where she was part of the Golden Essence and obtained her Marketing and Business degree. With her education, experience, and go getter attitude she made her dream a reality in summer of 2004 after coaching a recreational team to two National Grand Champion titles.

CAO Elite was started with only 20 girls and tripled in size for the 2005-2006 seasons. Since opening CAO Elite has won over 75 National Titles and 30 Grand Champion Titles- and consistently gains a positive reputation for best of accolades such as: Tumbling, Most Entertaining Choreography, Spirit Awards, and Best Dance from several National Competitions.

With over 12 years experience Toni is USASF certified levels 1-5, AACCA certified, as well as trained and certified in CPR. A GHSA certified community coach, Lay Coach Stockbridge High School, Cheer Phi Magazine board member, Atlanta Business League “Success Against The Odds “Recipient in 2009, choreographer for Nationally ranked routines, and judge for local and National competitions from recreational through the Collegiate level.
 

Never an absent owner you will find Toni in the gym everyday doing what she loves and helping along with her staff to mold the girls to be the best they can be in and out of the gym. Toni is happily married to Rivington Kendrick and proud mother to CAO’s biggest little fan Mattison.
 

Favorite Quote:
“The real glory is being knocked to your knees and then coming back. That's real glory. That's the essence of it”
Vince Lombardi

Candice Johnson started cheering during her elementary school years. She attended Tri Cities High School in East Point where she cheered both Junior Varsity (9th-10th grades) and Varsity (9th-12th grades). Determined to focus on her academics during her college years at Clark Atlanta University, Candice began coaching recreational squads in East Point, College Park, Hapeville, and other surrounding counties.

Upon the start of her teaching career in 2003, Candice aided in starting a cheer/dance squad at her elementary school in Forest Park, GA. For the last eight years, Candice has led this squad to many championship victories and accolades including two 1st place competition trophies, best pyramids, most spirited, and best jumps.

This year, Candice who is USASF certified in stunts and tumbling level 1-3, wanted to become more involved in the aspect of competitive cheerleading. Her love for cheerleading and dedication to helping young girls reach their full potential in the sport led her to coaching at CAO Elite.

Candice has an eleven year son and a six year old daughter who cheers for CAO Elite. She is an educator with a Bachelors in Early Childhood Education, a Masters in Elementary Reading and Math, and a Educational Specialist degree also in Early Childhood Education. She is currently working on her Doctorate degree in Education.

Favorite quote “Practice as if you are the worst, but perform as if you are the best!” – Author Unknown
 

DeAndre Burton better known as Coach Lucky has been involved with cheer for the last 6 years. He started off cheering and as his love grew for the sport he knew coaching is where is belonged. A long time friend of a CAO Alumni turned coach he attended our competitions last season and like many others fell in love and this year decided to coach with us.

Coach Lucky is a local resident and college student and enjoys assisting with tumbling, cleaning up routines, and anything else needed of him.

Favorite Quote. "“Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success.” Henry Ford

Coach Yvette Meredith a CAO Elite All Star Alumni who helped to bring home many National and Grand Champion wins during her time cheering is an energetic motivating coach who helped lead the 2010-2011 Cutie Pies to an undefeated season and Reigning International All Levels Grand Champion title.

This is Coach Yvette’s third season coaching. She is a local resident and is currently working on her college degree. Coach Yvette is both CPR and First Aid certified.

Favorite Quote. “Winning is not a sometime thing; it's an all time thing. You don't win once in a while, you don't do things right once in a while, you do them right all the time. Winning is habit." Vince Lombardi