2025 Blue KC Coaches With Character Honoree DaWanda Dawn
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City (Blue KC) and the “C” You in the Major Leagues (CYITML) Foundation have announced Schlagle High School Head Cheerleading Coach DaWanda Dawn as the Blue KC Coaches with Character honoree for the month of August.
Dawn’s interest in coaching started when her children were younger so she could not only help teach them strong fundamentals, but also the importance of team values that would help shape them into respectful, responsible, and community-minded individuals. During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, she stepped into the high school coaching world at Schlagle High School.
“It was a difficult time for everyone, especially schools and extracurricular activities,” said Dawn. “We started with just three cheerleaders, but as we began to better understand and navigate the effects of the pandemic, I was able to build a full team in my first complete season. That success helped spark a movement to revitalize girls’ sports across our school and to help uplift and empower female athletes.”
Throughout her first six years of high school coaching, Dawn has been able to interact with individuals from all backgrounds and gain a deeper appreciation for the diversity within her local community. She’s been able to build meaningful relationships with her student-athletes and their families, and cherishes those small, yet powerful, moments when she realizes she’s helped solve a problem or successfully taught a new skill.
“My proudest accomplishment has been integrating students with learning and physical disabilities into nearly all of the programs our school offers,” said Dawn. “We create an environment where everyone feels seen, valued, and is included. We’ve taken a stand on inclusion and proudly pledge to embrace all students, which is something I’m incredibly proud of. It’s more than just a moment, it’s a movement.”
Dawn displays daily confidence, which translates into positive thinking for her student-athletes. She was once told that in order to be selfless, she needed to walk into her life’s purpose with pride. She’s done just that and has remembered the motto: ‘If an athlete can’t see their future, you paint it for them’. This approach has guided the way she coaches and leads by example.
“No matter what a student’s situation may be, I remind them that they are capable of greatness,” said Dawn. “Sometimes they just need someone to believe in them before they can believe in themselves, and I’m honored to be that person when they need it most.”
She also reminds her student-athletes that their journeys won’t always be easy, but that the future is theirs to shape. Nothing comes without effort, and Dawn’s continual reminders that success takes hard work, discipline, and heart helps give them the strength to push through and create something amazing that they can carry with them forever.
“My coaching style is built on a family-first approach,” said Dawn. “I believe everyone deserves a voice, so before I make any final decisions, I always take the time to hear from the cheerleading team. I want my athletes to know their opinion matters and that we grow stronger when we work together. My mindset is simple. We are one team, one family. If someone is struggling, we’ve got their back. And if someone needs help, we step up and assist.”
“With a heart full of compassion and determination, DaWanda ensures that all students are celebrated within the Schlagle High School community,” said Dawn’s nominator, Deon Whitten. “Her dedication is evident in how she encourages those students to reach for heights they may have never imagined—whether in academics, where her students have earned places in the National Honor Society and endorsements through the Diploma+ program, or in athletics. Her holistic approach to education, her passionate advocacy for students, and her tireless efforts to foster an inclusive, supportive, and empowering environment showcase the true character of a coach and educator who leads by example.”
“The loving joy Coach Dawn displays is evident to those she interacts with,” said Jenny Housley, Blue KC Senior Vice President and Chief Revenue Officer. “Her unwavering commitment to generating a welcoming environment for her student-athletes shines a beam of light into the local community and makes everyone around her happier. We’re proud to highlight her career accomplishments and know there are many more to come in the future!”
“I’m just a young woman from Wyandotte, building on a dream and striving to make a lasting impact,” said Dawn. “To me, coaching is about more than any one person or team, it’s about creating a culture of excellence, character, and community. It’s important that my student-athletes not only grow as athletes, but also as leaders who give back to the neighborhoods they come from.”
Blue KC Coaches with Character recipients are honored monthly at Kauffman Stadium during Kansas City Royals home games, and fans are encouraged to nominate high school coaches who are making a positive impact on their schools and communities by using the form online at https://www.BlueKC.com/NominateCoachesWithCharacter.
Blue KC supports the Kansas City community through impactful sports partnership programs
Blue KC Coaches With Character Program
