Panther Cheer Athletics co-founder Stephanie Kennedy has been recognized for her contribution to cheerleading in the Pacific Northwest.
The Richmond native was recently named Coach of the Year at the Leading Edge Cheerleading Conference. The event brings together guest instructors from all over North America to teach and inspire. Eligible candidates for the award coach in B.C. or Washington State.
Kennedy had an extensive background in gymnastics when she co-founded the Olympic Oval-based Panther Cheer with Dawn Silver. She was first an athlete and then a coach with the Richmond Gymnastics Association and later worked with national level athletes in Delta before pursuing her teaching degree at UBC. She taught in Richmond for many years before retiring to focus on raising her family and the ever-growing Panther program.
She has chaired the B.C Cheerleading Association and is a member of the committee that certifies judges in B.C.
A nomination letter was read out prior to Kennedy receiving the award.
"Stephanie passionately believes that through the sport of cheerleading we are able to work with young people and help them develop and grow into confident, self reliant, independent and thoughtful young adults. She also knows how difficult it is to raise our children in a world that bombards young girls with images that erode their self esteem, make them question their worth and their place in this world, and tries to make them grow up far too soon.
"This is why she continues to stay involved with cheer, as she feels it is unlike any other sport and she can really make a difference. The relationships she has made with athletes as long as 15 years ago are still being kept, as she has made such an impact in their lives."
More information on the Panther Athletics' cheer programs can be found at panthercheerathletics.com
