He's a special step team coach, but is doing more than just teaching his students some fancy moves! His name is Shawn Wyman and he heads up two step groups, the Lady ICONZ and their male counterparts, the ICONZ. They're made up of students from across Hampton Roads.
We planned our surprise at Green Run High School, where Coach Shawn had organized a massive step-show performance. As we approached the coach, I let him know we heard good things about what he's been doing with them from the kids and parents like Ebony Holloway, "Coach Shawn teaches the youth they can be anything they want to be if they work hard."
This is more than just stepping; there's also a community service component. They perform at nursing homes, they do clothing drives and folks this step show were encouraged to bring a canned food item to help out those in need.
The community service lesson is really taking root, just ask Brandi Patrick, a step team member, acknowledging it's teaching her, "Just to be thankful for what I do have right now on the spot, like push my feelings aside, my issues-- and worry about others, giving back and having a caring heart for others."
For all these reasons, News 3 presented Coach Shawn with a News 3 People Taking Action award, along with a $300 Visa gift card from our community partner Southern Bank. Coach Shawn's response? "I'm shocked! I'm really shocked!"
I asked why it was important to be involved with the youth? "Definitely to keep the kids off the street.....definitely to keep them busy, something positive to influence."
In addition to the fun and the community service---there's another impact from the countless hours coach spends with these kids, according to Brandi, "And to Coach Shawn he's just a great person. I just love myself more. He just built my confidence."
And there's this powerful comment from another step team member, Dontavious Jones, "Like I can always count on him, like as a father, as a coach. He's just always there for me."
