Dawn Gardner

It all started over 20 years ago when Dawn volunteered to be the class mom for her daughter’s class. Shortly after that, she started making costume alterations and various skirts and costume pieces for the Stepping Stars dance program.  Most notable was our second recital after Covid.  Dawn handmade some costumes for the dancers from patterns because at that time ordering costumes from catalogs  was hard to obtain.   

Whenever she would see an opportunity to take a task such as writing names on handouts for distribution or folding recital programs, she would offer to do it.  No project is too big and it is always completed on time.  She helps order the recital costumes and organizes them when they arrive.  She now helps with administrative tasks, as well.  Dawn is an integral part of backstage management for the rehearsals and recital day.  She has never missed a rehearsal or a recital.  She is always quick to praise the dancers for doing a beautiful job. She is excellent about making a list of needed things and then following through.  Dawn knows where everything is and keeps the “dance closet” as organized as possible.  If any of our dancers need to swap their dance shoes, she is there to help find the perfect size.  She is loved by all of our dance families, too!  She has the most kind, giving, and gentle nature.   

Dawn is an example to her daughter, Catherine.  Catherine has danced with Stepping Stars since she started dancing in 1999, and is also a class helper.  Due to Catherine’s dance classes and the classes that she helps with, Dawn is at the center Monday through Thursday evenings.  She is a wonderful benefit and asset to the Stepping Stars Dance Program.  I don’t think we could function as smoothly without her and all of the things that she does.  She is most definitely the MVP of our Stepping Stars Dance Program.  We are extremely fortunate to have her and she is most deserving of this Volunteer of the Year award.