09/03/2026
6 years and counting! Thank you Coach Stacie! 💜🤍
💜🤍💜🤍COACH SPOTLIGHT💜🤍💜🤍
Stacie Kitson
Sideline & Competitive Cheer Varsity
9 Years Coaching | 6 Years as Head Coach at Gladstone
💜Why do you continue to coach?
“I’ve been coaching for nine years, and the difference I can make in these kids’ lives is what keeps me coming back. I want them to know that someone else cares about them, believes in them, and is always in their corner.”
💜What has coaching taught you?
“Coaching has taught me that no matter how much you think you know, there is always something new to learn every day. You can never stop growing, learning, and becoming better not just as a coach, but as a person.”
💜What are you most excited about with this team?
“I’m excited to watch this team continue to develop strength and grit. This team is hungry for more, and I love that. Sideline is our ‘prep’ season for something much bigger.
One quote I always tell them is, ‘Nothing is given, everything is earned.’ I hope that sticks with them—not just in cheer, but in life. I can’t wait to see the differences and improvements they make by February.”
💜What do you hope your athletes remember about you?
“I hope my athletes don’t just remember the coach who made them condition because of their attitudes, held them accountable when they needed consequences, or pushed them even when things were hard.
I hope they remember a coach who cared, looked out for them, believed in them, and never stopped believing in what they were capable of.”
💜What does winning mean to you?
“There is far more to winning than just trophies. Winning is being a good person, being on time, being dependable, and being the hardest worker in the room.
Those are the things that matter long after the trophies are put away.”
💜What does “We Are Gladstone” mean to you?
“‘We Are Gladstone’ means something bigger than just yourself. It means being part of a community that cheers for one another, supports each other, and always roots for your success.
I became a Brave in 2020, and I immediately felt like I was home. Being part of this community has become something I’m incredibly proud of.”
💜What advice would you give your athletes when things get difficult?
“Never give up. The days you want to quit might be the turning point right before everything starts to make sense.
Keep pushing, keep showing up, and trust the process, even when it’s hard.”
💜What would you like to say to the Gladstone community?
BE LOUD, BE PROUD!!!
“No matter what happens, these athletes work incredibly hard and deserve to be supported. Even with something like ‘sideline’ cheer.
Cheer for them, encourage them, and be proud of them.
And trust your athletes’ coach. There is always a reason behind what we ask, even when you may not understand it in the moment.”
💜What do you hope your athletes carry with them after their time in cheer?
“I hope my kids always remember where they came from. They will always have a family in Gladstone Cheer.
I hope they remember the life lessons they learned, the friendships they made, the memories they created, and all the moments that made them who they are.
The trophies may eventually collect dust, but the person they become and the memories they carry with them will last forever.”
Coach Stacie Kitson thank you for taking the time to answer a few questions for us and we wish you and the girls great success not just on the sidelines but come competitive cheer season also!
We’re cheering the cheerleaders on!!!
You are a true leader and someone our girls always look up to, keep being great and continue laying the foundation for these young athletes as they walk their path on this journey of being Student Athletes!
