LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Megan Washington was nominated by Amy Harris. 

"To me, a LifeChanger is someone whose influence extends far beyond wins, titles, or job descriptions. My LifeChanger is Megan Washington, cheer coach for the Lovejoy Wildcats. In three words, she is visionary, empowering, and relentless," said Harris.

Coach Washington has completely transformed what cheerleading looks like, and what it means for students in Clayton County Public Schools. She took a program that barely competed and turned it into the 2025 GHSA 5A GameDay State Champions. This achievement was historic; not only was it the first cheer championship won by Clayton County, but her team was the first all–African American squad in Georgia history to win a GHSA cheer state title. In a Title I county that previously may have had only one or two teams competing statewide each year, there are now five to six teams out of ten consistently stepping onto the competition mat. That growth didn't happen by accident. It happened because Coach Washington showed students what was possible and demanded excellence while providing the tools to reach it.

Coach Washington's impact reaches far beyond trophies. She has inspired Black and Brown girls across Clayton County to believe they belong on the biggest stages and can compete with the best of the best. She teaches discipline, confidence, accountability, and pride, lessons that extend into the classroom and into life. During the day, she is a phenomenal teacher, and she also serves as an assistant athletic director, modeling leadership, professionalism, and service in every role she takes on.

"One moment that truly solidified her impact on me was a simple conversation after a long day. I was frustrated, jaded even, by the challenges facing athletics and the constant fight for equitable resources. Coach Washington spoke passionately about her athletes, not in terms of obstacles, but in terms of possibilities. She talked about what her cheerleaders deserved and refused to accept 'that's just how it's always been' as an answer. In that moment, I was reminded why this work matters. Her belief in her students and athletes reignited my own belief in the mission. At a time when I had grown weary of the system, Coach Washington inspired me to keep fighting for access, opportunity, and respect for our kids," Harris added. "She is proof that when one person dares to dream bigger and works relentlessly for students, lives change, programs grow, and history is made. That is what a true LifeChanger does."