At Cedar Hill Preparatory School, athletics are not defined by wins or losses, but by something far more lasting: confidence.
In classrooms, on courts, and across gym floors, a group of women are quietly shaping how students see themselves—not just as athletes, but as individuals capable of growth, resilience, and leadership. This Women’s History Month, Cedar Hill Prep celebrates four coaches whose impact reaches far beyond the game.
For Coach Courtney Tierney, the work begins with something every athlete—regardless of age—struggles with: confidence. Whether she’s working with young students in Little Cats or middle school athletes, she sees the same patterns emerge. The hesitation. The fear of getting it wrong. And the breakthrough that comes when students are encouraged to try anyway. Her philosophy is simple but powerful: mistakes are not setbacks—they are the starting point.
That same transformation is at the heart of Coach Julie Haynoski’s cheerleading program. What began as a small initiative quickly became something much bigger—a space where students discover their voice. For some, that voice is literal. Students who once hesitated to speak begin to project, perform, and lead. Confidence, she has found, is often just waiting for the right environment to emerge.
Coach Dawn Francavilla brings a different kind of steadiness to the field—one shaped by a lifetime in sports. A former athlete who went on to coach at the varsity level, she understands both the pressure and the potential of young competitors. Her approach is grounded in balance: be fair, be firm, and above all, be empathetic. She believes every child has something worth building on—and that recognizing it can change everything.
On the volleyball court, Coach Yasmeen Villafranca translates decades of experience into something students can grasp and grow from. Her focus extends beyond technique. She looks for something deeper: a willingness to learn, to adapt, and to try again. These are not just athletic traits—they are life skills. Communication, collaboration, and risk-taking are practiced as intentionally as serves and sets.
Across all four coaches, a common thread emerges. This is not just coaching. It is mentorship. It is modeling what it looks like to persist, to lead, and to believe in one’s own potential.
At Cedar Hill Prep, the lessons learned in sport do not stay on the field. They carry into classrooms, into friendships, and into the way students approach challenges beyond school.
Because here, success is not just measured by performance.
It is measured by who students become along the way.