By james art 
Nayomi Samuels died last week after falling into an icy pond in Winston-Salem.
WINSTON-SALEM, NC-The Cheer Extreme Unicorns held their first practice since the death of 7-year-old Naimi Samuels.
Head coach Brittany Shaver said every time she says, “we’re doing it for Naomi,” the kids go harder than she’s ever seen.
The team has a new motto and motivation.
“Ari says 5,6,7,8 and we say Nei-Omi and that’s how we start our routine,” Coach Shaver said.
As a flyer on the team, Samuels was the centerpiece of many stunts and brought life to the team.
“She was the best flyer and cheerleader on the team,” said cheerleader Aryn Roof.
Shaver said that Samuels is the light every time she shows up at the gym, she said it will be difficult to fill the spot that Samuels held for nearly two years.
Last Thursday, Samuels was playing at a duck pond in Winston-Salem with two other children and fell into the frozen pond. All three children were rescued and taken to the hospital. Samuels was in critical condition and the team was praying to get out.
“We made cards, we made a banner, we went in shifts to the hospital to drop off the cards and the banner,” Shaver said.
She said Samuels fought as hard as he could but died three days after the accident.
Junior Bella Everd’s coach said she was devastated to hear she had been in an accident.
“It’s hard, but I try to keep it together for all the athletes I coach, especially her little sister,” Everd said. “She’s on one of the other teams I coach.”
The team has taken Samuels’ 4-year-old little sister under its wing and has vowed to dedicate this season to Samuels, keeping her picture in the gym and wearing purple bows that say “Do it for Naomi.”
Shaver said Purple is her favorite color.
The team said that even though Samuels is only 7 years old, many of the cheerleaders looked up to her.
More ways to get WFMY News 2
Download the WFMY News 2 app from your Apple or Google Play Store.
Add the WFMY+ app to your streaming device
Roku: Add the channel from the Roku store or search for WFMY.
Amazon Fire TV: Search for WFMY to find the free app to add to your account. You can also add the app directly to your Fire TV through your Amazon account.