By Kiara Doyal, The Seattle Medium
ShaVon Robinson, Vice President and Head Cheer Coach of the CD Panthers, has spent more than two decades creating a supportive environment that fosters a sense of family within the organization and sisterhood among its young cheerleaders. Her goal is simple: to provide a fun and loving space for youth athletes to grow both on and off the field. Robinson’s tireless commitment as a volunteer is driven by a deep passion for her community and a desire to give back, but she also wants others to understand the challenges of volunteer work in youth sports.
“I’ve been with the CD Panthers for 22 years, serving in various board positions,” Robinson said. “On top of volunteering, I work full-time and am a grandmother of two. People need to realize that the work we do as volunteers is not easy. It’s often a thankless job, especially in administrative roles.”
As Vice President, Robinson ensures the organization runs smoothly, taking care of everything from compliance with league rules to managing budgets, providing support for coaches and volunteers, reserving fields for practice and games, attending league meetings, and building/maintaining relationships with community leaders/organizations to support the organization. Her leadership ensures that the CD Panthers remain a staple in the community, offering opportunities for young athletes to thrive.
Robinson’s involvement with the Panthers began when her son joined the team as a peewee player. She initially served as the team mom before being encouraged to join the board.
“I started as the team mom when my son was playing,” recalled Robinson. “Then, the head coach, Terrell Elmore, persuaded me to become the parent liaison, and that eventually led to me becoming the tutoring coordinator. Mr. Jackson, the founder of the CD Panthers, later asked me to step up and take on more responsibilities.”
Her commitment to the Panthers was influenced by the guidance of two pivotal figures in her life—Donna Kirvin, a community leader from her youth, and Mr. Jackson, the Panthers’ founder. Both shaped her dedication to community service.
“When I was young, Donna worked at the Garfield Community Center. She worked with the youth, even gave us jobs, and she was just always there when we needed her. She encouraged us, supported us, and was always there to talk things out,” says Robinson. “For me, that was something that I will never forget, and it helped me out in some tough times then and still now I utilize some of the skills that she has taught me. As I grew older, I never forgot that and wanted to do the same for other kids. I wanted to try to make a difference in someone else’s life, I love working with the kids, seeing them smile, and having fun just being kids.”
“Mr. Jackson believed in me. He pushed me to be strong and helped me see the qualities I didn’t realize I had. That was something no one had ever done for me before, and it’s why I stayed by his side,” she added.
Even though Robinson is unsure about the impact she has left on the community, she is hopeful that the main impact she is leaving on the young athletes is that they know that they are loved and cared about.
“I try to build confidence and self-esteem with the girls so that they can carry that through their lives. I hope that the lessons that I teach, and some of the advice that I give will stick with them like it did for me and that it can be used throughout their lives,” says Robinson. “My hope is that they grow to be great people.”
Former CD Panthers cheerleaders Myleah Lexing and Lynisha Bailey, both recent high school graduates, are just two of many young women who have been positively influenced by Robinson. Lexing, who started cheering with the Panthers at age 4, credits Robinson for her unwavering support and encouragement.
“Coach ShaVon is supportive and protective,” says Lexing. “She has inspired me to do my best just as she does for the other girls. The impact she has had on me is that with discipline and a good attitude, I can achieve anything, and I am grateful for her.”
Bailey echoed similar sentiments, noting how Robinson’s inclusivity and kindness set her apart as a leader.
“She didn’t just feel like a coach—she was more like a mother or an auntie figure,” Bailey said. “That’s something a lot of us girls needed growing up, and it’s had a big impact on all of us.”
For Robinson, the focus on building relationships and providing a nurturing environment is what matters most.
“Youth sports should be about kids having fun, making friends, and just being kids,” she said. “Everyone wants to win, but we have to remember that these kids aren’t going straight to the NFL. The goal is to teach them to love the game and enjoy the experience.”
Despite having aged out of the CD Panthers cheer program, both Lexing and Bailey remain involved with the organization, returning each year to mentor the next generation of cheerleaders.
“I continue to come back and help each year because I love connecting with the girls and watching them grow up to become young women,” says Bailey. “I strive to become a positive role model to them because I know that a lot of them don’t really have somebody older to look up to.”
Lexing added that helping out allows her to see firsthand the growth and confidence that the younger girls gain over time.
“The most rewarding part is seeing the girls improve and gain confidence,” she said.
After 22 years, Robinson shows no signs of slowing down. For Robinson, the commitment to the CD Panthers requires significant time and dedication, especially alongside her full-time job and personal responsibilities. However, she emphasized that without volunteers like herself and others, programs like this would not exist.
“There is so much time that goes into making sure that a season happens,” says Robinson. “We take time away from our families to give to other families, so it is important for our community to understand how to be patient and kind to the people that are volunteering because without them there would be no program.”