Where Confidence Competes: CCSD Athletes Celebrate National Girls & Women in Sports Day

More than 500 CCSD female athletes gathered Monday to celebrate National Girls and Women in Sports Day (NGWSD) and recognize the positive impact and great opportunities provided by the school district’s elite athletic programs. 

“National Girls and Women in Sports Day isn’t just a celebration—it’s a commitment to empowering the next generation of strong, confident women through the power of sport,” said emcee and event organizer Victoria Brown, assistant principal and former softball coach at Etowah High School.

"Where Confidence Competes" was the them for this year's event.  Last year CCSD girls’ sports accounted for two team state championship titles, two individual state titles, and four region championship titles, as well as countless scholarship opportunities enabling female athletes to play at the college level.  Continued investment in girls’ sports by the Cherokee County School Board has been key to the level of success enjoyed by these programs and is vital to their future success.  School Board Chair Janet Read Welch attended today’s celebration, along with School Board members Chance Beam and Dr. Susan Padgett-Harrison.  Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta was the title sponsor for the event.

NGWSD recognizes the contributions female athletes have made in their sports, acknowledges the challenges they have overcome, and celebrates the positive influence of sports participation for girls and women everywhere. It is celebrated in all 50 states with community-based events, award ceremonies, and activities honoring athletic achievements and encouragement of female participation in sports. Cherokee County School District takes part in this special day by hosting its own event, which it has done since 2005.

Special Recognitions
Honorary Coach:  The NGWSD program honors a coach each year for his/her contributions and support of female athletes. This year's recipient was former fast pitch softball coach Robin Roper of Cherokee High School, presented by Coach Tonya Carlisle.

Special Olympic Athlete of the Year:   River Ridge HS athlete Cassie Vanderberg, presented by her coach Merry Hofmeister, who said Cassie personifies the Special Olympic oath – “Let me win, and if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.”

​ In addition to recognizing outstanding athletes and teams from each high school, the program also paid tribute to the more than two dozen women coaches in CCSD who were once student athletes here in their community.  “Female athletes who return to their schools as coaches, coming back to lead, they strengthen the culture of their sport,” said Brown.

​Each school honored an alumna, an athlete of the year and a team of the year (based on 2025 season). 
• Cherokee High School honored alumna Kate Johnson; Athlete of the Year Carlee Platko; and selected Lady Warriors Flag Football as Team of the Year.
• Creekview High School honored alumna Ellie Johnson; Athlete of the Year Kaitlyn Hamby; and selected Lady Grizzly Fast Pitch Softball as Team of the Year. 
• Etowah High School honored alumna Skylar Wallace; Athlete of the Year Kimora Stevenson; and selected Lady Eagles Basketball as Team of the Year. 
• River Ridge HS honored alumna Allie Sweet; Athlete of the Year Kyla Cantey; and Lady Knights Basketball as Team of the Year. 
• Sequoyah HS honored alumna Natalie Sinclair; Athlete of the Year Miki Parrott ; and Lady Chiefs Volleyball  as Team of the Year. 
• Woodstock HS honored alumna Anna Brunett Sheehan; Athlete of the Year Nina Carcone; and selected Lady Wolverines Flag Football as Team of the Year.

For the first time, an overall female athlete of the year and team of the year were selected, voted on by the high school athletic directors.  Creekview Fast Pitch Softball was named Cherokee County Team of the Year, and Woodstock High School’s Nina Carcone was named Athlete of the Year. #CCSDElevateTheExcellence