The Heart of a Champion Gala takes place Thursday, April 16. The doors open at 5:15 and the event begins promptly at 6:00 – 7:30 PM, and we would like to invite you to join us.
This year our theme is “Power of Hope” - seeing beyond the situation to what could be. Every single day, our schools are faced with internal and external adversity. Many of these things are simply out of their control. However, our principals, support staff, and students are a testament to taking lemons and making lemonade. Throughout the gala, we will hear from leaders who took hope from ideal to action.
Join us in person and enjoy entertainment and celebrate school and community award winners while supporting Caring for Kids Network’s fundraising.
We are very excited to have Dan Meers as our keynote speaker. Dan is a celebrated professional mascot, motivational speaker, author, and family man. He is best known as the longtime performer behind KC Wolf, the iconic mascot of the Kansas City Chiefs, a role he embodied for 35 years and helped elevate into one of the most beloved figures in the NFL. He began his mascot career in 1986 as Truman the Tiger at the University of Missouri-Columbia, earning national recognition, then briefly performed as Fredbird for the St. Louis Cardinals before joining the Chiefs. As KC Wolf, Meers entertained fans across the United States and the world, inspired audiences with humor and positivity, and became an in-demand speaker for audiences of all ages. His enthusiasm, optimism, and love for life have made him an inspiration to many. He lives in Kansas City, Missouri with his wife Cam and their three children.
Serving as emcee for the event is Dr. Michael Schumacher. With more than a decade of educational experience in the SMSD community, Dr. Schumacher began serving as Superintendent of the Shawnee Mission School District (SMSD) in the 2024-2025 school year. During his time in Shawnee Mission, he has served as the assistant director of curriculum and instruction, executive director of secondary human resources, and associate superintendent of human resources. Prior to his time with Shawnee Mission, he served as a principal and assistant principal in the Piper, Turner and Blue Valley School Districts, and at Bishop Miege High School. He began his career as a high school science teacher. “It is my focus every day to work for and fight for what our students need to succeed in the classroom, and to ensure that our community has the finest public school system in the state, the region and the country,” Dr. Schumacher noted. “I believe deeply that public education is the great equalizer in this country and the Shawnee Mission School District is a shining example of the unlimited possibilities that exist when great people work together to serve the needs of students.” Dr. Schumacher is committed to work alongside dedicated educators, supportive parents, and engaged students to ensure that every learner thrives in our diverse and dynamic learning community.
Providing our amazing meal is Chef David Ruiz. He is the Executive Chef at the Overland Park Convention Center. A nationally recognized chef and Food Network champion, he is known for his commitment to local sourcing, sustainability, and bringing elevated, chef-driven cuisine to large-scale events.
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