{"id":12398,"date":"2019-05-03T11:28:00","date_gmt":"2019-05-03T16:28:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bluekc.com\/blueprint\/?p=12398"},"modified":"2025-12-22T11:30:27","modified_gmt":"2025-12-22T16:30:27","slug":"2019-blue-kc-coaches-with-character-honoree-ashley-forte","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bluekc.com\/blueprint\/uncategorized\/2019-blue-kc-coaches-with-character-honoree-ashley-forte\/","title":{"rendered":"2019 Blue KC Coaches With Character Honoree Ashley Forte"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City (Blue KC) and the \u201cC\u201d You in the Major Leagues Foundation (CYITML) have announced Lee\u2019s Summit North Varsity Cheerleading Coach Ashley Fort\u00e9 as the May Blue Blue KC Coaches with Character honoree.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In just five years as a cheer coach at Lee\u2019s Summit North\u2014including the last two as the head varsity coach\u2014Fort\u00e9 has helped the squad to a regional title in each season and to four state titles. But beyond helping them achieve at the highest level on the mat, Fort\u00e9 invests in her athletes as young women and helps them get \u201creal-world ready.\u201d\u201cThe high school years are both exciting and challenging in a young person\u2019s life,\u201d said CYITML Founder\/Executive Director and Royals VP\/General Manager Dayton Moore, \u201cso for these young ladies to have someone such as coach Fort\u00e9 in their lives to invest in them in such a transparent way is an incredible benefit. We\u2019re honored to be able to help recognize her.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Selected from nominations submitted by fans, with one honoree announced each month throughout the 2019 MLB season, each Blue KC Coaches with Character honoree will throw out the first pitch at a Royals home game, watch pregame batting practice, receive four game tickets, enjoy dinner in the Royals Diamond Club and visit the Royals Radio Network to record an on-air interview.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBeing an athlete is more than being physically competent,\u201d said Fort\u00e9, who also graduated from Lee\u2019s Summit North in 2009, cheering all four years. \u201cMy girls know that if all I have taught them is perfect technique then I have taught them nothing at all.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To help her athletes develop life skills, she focuses on helping them bond as teammates and create positive relationships through what she calls \u201cteam time.\u201d The team activities\u2014facilitated by the girls\u2014include a variety of activities such as playing games, reading and dissecting articles and listening to the school social worker present on conflict resolution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fort\u00e9 also remains open with her athletes about her passion for mental health awareness and ensures that the girls know she is a safe place for them and can talk to her about difficult issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe most rewarding thing for me is knowing my kids trust me,\u201d said Fort\u00e9. \u201cKnowing my coaches and I have created a space that exudes trust for every one of my athletes keeps me going each season.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAshley Fort\u00e9 not only coaches one of the top cheer squads in the state of Missouri, but also does so while making a positive impact on her girls off the mat,\u201d said Christina Lively, Department Vice President of Marketing and Communications for Blue KC. \u201cThrough her transparency about tough issues, she is helping her girls learn how to prioritize their mental health, and in the process is giving them tools that will help them beyond high school. It\u2019s our privilege to honor her as a Blue KC Coach with Character.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fort\u00e9 was nominated for the Blue KC Coaches with Character honor by Tina Faulkner, the parent of one of her athletes who has seen firsthand the impact Fort\u00e9 has made on the squad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cCoach Fort\u00e9 uses her voice to inform and teach others about mental illness, using her experiences to not only impact her team but the community as well,\u201d said Faulkner. \u201cShe believes you can\u2019t discuss mental health without addressing self-care. She provides tips on how to maintain a healthier mental life, overcoming fears\/obstacles, celebrating victories, advocating for others, and last but not least, loving oneself. Many have been inspired by her personal truths, and her winning record is a testament to character as an individual and a coach.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to the game-day benefits, each Blue KC Coaches with Character honoree also will be interviewed on 610 Sports Radio, receive a VIP gift package from Blue KC and CYITML and will be invited to meet Dayton Moore at an event in September at Kauffman Stadium. Additionally, Blue KC will make a $2,000 donation to CYITML in honor of each honoree.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Blue KC supports the Kansas City community through impactful sports partnership programs<\/h3>

Blue KC Coaches With Character Program<\/p> <\/div>\n

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