Graham Sullivan awarded for her coaching and her good character

Graham Sullivan had no idea she was going to win the Character Counts Coach of the Year Award at state. She also had no idea she was being recorded by her two co-coaches who were sitting right next to her when it happened. The coach of the Newton Pacesetters was genuinely surprised by the gesture.

“I was in absolute shock,” she told Newton News. “My whole family was there and it was my daughter’s first year at state with the team. So they all came under this guise of, ‘We’re coming to watch Laek dance!’ I was wondering why my parents from Florida even flew back. I thought they were being extra supportive.”

Well, as it turns out, they were. Sure, it was a chance to watch granddaughter Laek Sullivan perform her first state competition with the Pacesetters. But they also knew what was in store for their daughter, who has not only coached the dance team for the past six years but is also a former Pacesetter herself.

Iowa State Dance and Drill Team Association awarded Sullivan the prestigious accolade back in early December 2024. The award recognizes coaches for their commitment to their student athletes and to the sport of dance, and it is given to those who have shown they are extraordinary role models for their dancers.

Ryan Rump, activities and athletics director of Newton Community School District, spoke about Sullivan’s accomplishments during the Jan. 13 board meeting. Knowing Sullivan to be a humble coach, he bragged on her behalf. The dance coach position, he said, is not an easy job.

“It’s hard to explain all the dynamics that go into it,” Rump said. “All of our coaches work very, very hard and put a lot of time and effort into what they do. Graham just epitomizes what we’re looking for in a coach and in a role model. I can’t think of a better person to receive this Character Counts Award.”

Sullivan felt compelled to coach for the Pacesetters as a way to give back to the program that had given her so much during her days as a Newton Cardinal. The Class of 2003 graduate’s approach to coaching is to grow the individual person as well as the dancer. The teams have showed they can certainly dance.

The Pacesetters brought home four state trophies this school year, including third place for contemporary and kick, fourth place for hip-hop and second in the new category “The MIX.” Senior soloist MeLayna Budinich also took home fourth place. It was the first time the team brought home four trophies from state.

“To me, it’s about who you are as a person and how am I helping you to become a better person. I look at it more that way,” Sullivan said, noting that dance instills a lot values that transcend beyond school. “Are we working hard to get to where we want to be? Are we dedicated? All those are important, too.”

Pacesetters will get a chance to show off their dance skills — both as a team and individually — during the Winter Show at 7 p.m. Jan. 25 in Newton High School. Apart from state competition, it is the biggest night for the Newton dance team. Oftentimes the Pacesetters are supporting many of the other athletic teams.

“We’re the half-time entertainment and something to watch,” Sullivan said of the Pacesetter performances. “But the Winter Show is our opportunity for people to come and really see what we do and how we do it, and see the amount of work and hours that go into everything we do all season.”

According to Sullivan’s calculations, the Pacesetters practice about 260 hours in a single year and perform close to 80 shows. The team also spent 117 hours participating in major events like the homecoming parade and the “Pink Out” T-shirt fundraiser.

As a coach, Sullivan looks forward to seeing the team members after they graduate and catching up on all their accomplishments post-high school. It makes her proud knowing she played a small part in what they are doing outside of the Pacesetters.

“It’s more than just dance,” she said.