---
title: "NinjaTrix Hosts 2nd Annual Awards Banquet, Celebrating Student Achievements; Launches New Youth Leadership Program"
url: https://burnaze.com/article/a9f87a4e-42f2-4cc3-8b18-911fe4ed0a4d
source: "Franchising.com"
original_url: https://www.franchising.com/news/20250227_ninjatrix_hosts_2nd_annual_awards_banquet_celebrating_student_achievements_.html
category: "Education & Childcare"
industry: "Education & Childcare"
topics: ["People"]
published: 2025-02-27T12:00:00.000Z
modified: 2026-10-31T19:03:00.900Z
image: https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1507679799987-c73779587ccf?w=1600&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop
---

# NinjaTrix Hosts 2nd Annual Awards Banquet, Celebrating Student Achievements; Launches New Youth Leadership Program

**TL;DR:** NinjaTrix hosted its 2nd Annual Awards Banquet, honoring student achievements and launching a new Youth Leadership Program. The program is designed for students who have reached a certain skill level and demonstrated leadership qualities.

*originally published in Franchising.com on 2025-02-27. [Read the original](https://www.franchising.com/news/20250227_ninjatrix_hosts_2nd_annual_awards_banquet_celebrating_student_achievements_.html).*

## Story

A locally owned business and growing franchise concept, NinjaTrix offers a dynamic program designed for kids ages 4-12 blending tumbling, obstacle course challenges, and agility-based movement with martial arts fundamentals. The structured curriculum helps students build strength, confidence, and discipline while developing life skills such as respect, perseverance, and teamwork. Students progress through a leveling-up system, earning ranks as they master new skills.

Throughout the year, they participate in competitions and challenges designed to keep them engaged and motivated. The Annual Awards Banquet highlights the accomplishments of students at every level, recognizing their dedication and progress in the program.

The well-attended event featured dinner, highlight videos of the past year, and speeches from NinjaTrix Founder and CEO Steve Butts, along with coaches Will Stewart (Pace), Saylor Wilson (Pace), Nathan Haigler (Pensacola), Aidan Dickinson (Pensacola), and Justin Wilkins (Pensacola).

“It’s been amazing to see this banquet grow into its second year,” said Steve Butts, CEO and Founder of NinjaTrix. “It’s not just about the awards, it’s about celebrating the hard work, growth, and the supportive community from their families and coaches that makes it all possible.”

NinjaTrix Pensacola Annual Award Recipients:

- Student of the Year – Voted on by their peers in class

- Ninja Spirit Award – Recognized students who embody the NinjaTrix spirit and dedication, selected by instructors

- Competition Team Recognition – Students who competed in all three 2024 NinjaTrix competitions

- Excellence Awards – Students who placed 1st, 2nd, or 3rd in a division across all three 2024 NinjaTrix competitions

- Top Skills & Obstacle Course Awards – Recognizing students with the highest scores in specific skill or obstacle course competitions

- Overall Top Ten Points – The top ten students based on cumulative competition season points

- Grand Champion – Awarded to the student with the highest overall points in 2024;

This year’s Grand Champion was RJ Spann, a 12-year-old Junior Ninja who has been training with NinjaTrix since December 2023.

During the banquet, NinjaTrix officially announced the launch of its new Leadership Program, recognizing 11 students who were invited to be part of this exciting initiative. This program is designed for students who have reached a certain skill level, demonstrated outstanding leadership qualities, and expressed interest in training to become a NinjaTrix Coach. As part of the program, these students will begin attending monthly leadership training sessions with coaches and gain hands-on experience by assisting in classes once a week.

The announcement was met with excitement from students, families, and instructors, as it marks a new pathway for dedicated students to grow into future leaders within the NinjaTrix community.

Now in its second year, the NinjaTrix Pensacola Annual Banquet has become a special tradition, bringing students, families, and coaches together to celebrate progress and achievements. The organization looks forward to continuing this event each year, recognizing the hard work, growth, and dedication of every NinjaTrix student.

## Entities

- Franchising.com (publication)
- Education & Childcare (sector)
- franchise concept (topic)
- NinjaTrix (company)
- awards banquet (topic)
- youth leadership program (topic)
- student achievements (topic)

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Originally reported by Franchising.com (https://www.franchising.com/news/20250227_ninjatrix_hosts_2nd_annual_awards_banquet_celebrating_student_achievements_.html). Summarized by Burnaze (https://burnaze.com/article/a9f87a4e-42f2-4cc3-8b18-911fe4ed0a4d).