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Blue KC Sporting Samaritans winners
Since 2016, each season Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City (Blue KC) partners with Sporting Kansas City to honor Blue KC Sporting Samaritans—students and teachers who go above and beyond to make our community a better place to live, work, and play.
Nominated by fans and recognized during home matches at Children’s Mercy Park, honorees enjoy VIP experiences and special perks, highlighting their invaluable contributions to our community.

“It’s been a privilege to be part of the Blue KC Sporting Samaritan program. I had a number of outstanding teachers who helped me get to where I am today, and it’s great to be able to celebrate those who are making a difference in the classroom and helping students realize their potential, while being an example to their peers.”
– Matt Besler, Blue KC Sporting Samaritan ambassador.
2025 Sporting Samaritans
“Being recognized in general as an educator is something that comes few and far between, and when you receive recognition it can completely change things. This recognition in particular completely shifted my perspective… If someone else were to get nominated and I had to tell them how good it was going to be, I don’t think I could put it into words.”
Juan Ocon, Blue Valley North HS – Physical Science Teacher
June 2025 Sporting Samaritan
2024 Samaritans




June 2024 Sporting Samaritan
Nicole Robson, Valley Park Elementary School – 2nd Grade – Chinese Immersion


August 2024 Sporting Samaritan
Ryan Schliem, Harrisonville Elementary School- Paraprofessional and Coach

September 2024 Sporting Samaritan
Adam Shirley, Shawnee Mission Northwest High School – Science

October 2024 Sporting Samaritan
Kyra Martiny, Stony Point North Elementary School – Speech Language Pathologist
2023 Samaritans

March 2023 Sporting Samaritan
Maddie Remijio, Pleasant Ridge Elementary School – 2nd Grade

April 2023 Sporting Samaritans
Mohamed Abdalla & Baradin Ahmed, Rockhurst High School students





September 2023 Sporting Samaritan
Dominic Jacobs, Athletics Director; Our Lady of the Presentation Catholic Grade School

October 2023 Sporting Samaritan
Richie Shust, Athletics Director; Clifford Nowlin Middle School – Independence School District
2022 Samaritans








2021 Samaritans


June 2021 Sporting Samaritan
Gavin Morris – Excelsior Springs High School and Middle School (Director of Bands)



No 2020 honorees due to COVID-19 pandemic
2019 Samaritans

March 2019 Sporting Samaritan
Cynthia Gerdes – Raytown Middle School (6th-8th grade; Counselor; XC Coach)

April 2019 Sporting Samaritan
Dr. Dustin Springer – Gray Hawk Elementary Principal (current); Merriam Park Elementary School (K-6th grade; Instructional Coach)

May 2019 Sporting Samaritan
Alexandra Paulson – Blue Valley High School Special Education GEAR Program

July 2019 Sporting Samaritan
Kelsey Stimatze – Earl Lawson Elementary School (Kindergarten)

August 2019 Sporting Samaritan
Cara Martin – Wolf Springs Elementary School (Gifted teacher)

September 2019 Sporting Samaritan
Tiffany Peeler – Walden Middle School (6th grade speech/publications)

October 2019 Sporting Samaritan
Preston Hickert – Heritage Middle School (6th grade Language Arts; XC coach)
2018 Samaritans

March 2018 Sporting Samaritan
Brooke Wiens – Crestview Elementary School (K – 5th grade; English Language Learner teacher)

April 2018 Sporting Samaritan
Lisa Painter – Kansas City Christian School (2nd grade; PE and track coach)


June 2018 Sporting Samaritan
Kara Schoff – Truman High School (Social Education; Special Olympics)

July 2018 Sporting Samaritan
Brian Beach – Student at Olathe North High School (11th grade; XC and track athlete)


2017 Samaritans


April 2017 Sporting Samaritan
Rick Pribyl – Blue Valley Northwest High School (Boy’s Soccer coach)

May 2017 Sporting Samaritan
Larry Benson – Trailridge Middle School (7th-8th grade; teacher, soccer and wrestling coach)

June 2017 Sporting Samaritan
Victoria Dunn – Hogan Prep (11th grade biology, girl’s basketball coach)



2016 Samaritans

March 2016 Sporting Sporting
Bhavish Dinakar – Shawnee Mission East High School (Senior, Debate Team)

April 2016 Sporting Samaritan
Emily Szczuka – Liberty High School (Senior, Link Crew and Key Club)

May 2016 Sporting Samaritan
Carolina Perez-Lozano – Quindaro Elementary School (5th grader)

June 2016 Sporting Samaritan
Melisa Robinson – Maple Park Middle School (6th grade English Language Arts teacher)


August 2016 Sporting Samaritan
Amy Thacker – Eugene Ware Elementary School (First grade teacher)

September 2016 Sporting Samaritan
Sarah Gonzalez – Shawnee Mission West High School (Math Teacher, Head Girl’s Soccer Coach)







