Donna Stauffer was a stay at home mom who discovered the game of tennis as a way to occupy her time when her 2 children started school. It was the first athletic activity she pursued and she quickly developed a passion for the game.
Donna became a certified teaching professional in 1991 deciding to focus her attention on teaching life skills to young children. Because of her efforts in organizing leagues and working with young players throughout the St. Louis area she received the Outstanding Contributor to Youth Programs from the St. Louis District and Missouri Valley Section of the United States Tennis Association.
As an employee of the United States Tennis Association in the late 90’s and early 2000’s she organized and assisted in providing free tennis lessons to children. This established a pathway that enabled further development of young players into high school and beyond. She also helped establish recreational tennis programs on college campuses. These programs focus on incoming freshmen by involving them in healthy activity easing their transition from high school to college by meeting new people in a fun environment.
Donna has coached at Lafayette High School since 1993 and the Head Girls Coach since 1998. Since 2003 the program has grown from 26 girls to over 70 in 2009. The girls play on 5 squads, including a squad for those new to tennis. The players range in ability from beginning level to State Singles Champions. In 2005 she became the first high school coach in the St. Louis area to implement a “no-cut” policy ensuring that every girl who wanted to play had the opportunity. This Fall season she has 26 freshmen on her team, representing 10% of the freshman girls at the school. Donna has actively assisted other high school coaches to develop programs that allow every interested kid the chance to play tennis on a high school team. She received the Rose Award from the Rockwood School District and the High School Coach of the Year Award from the St. Louis District and Missouri Valley Section.
Donna’s involvement at Ranken Jordan began as an administrative volunteer in the Volunteer Services Department in 2003 where she performed more than 1,500 hours of service. She provided the funds for the Volunteer Information System and assisted in its implementation. She enjoys assisting in Volunteer Recognition events and recognizes the importance of every volunteer at Ranken Jordan. When the Music Therapy program expressed a need for a variety of instruments Donna was thrilled to provide them.
Donna and her husband Scott are sponsors of the Kid’s Walk on behalf of the Lafayette Tennis Team since it's beginning. Several of her players attend the event with their dogs every year. They promote and participate in the Annual Giving Campaign and continue to look for opportunities to advance the mission of Ranken Jordan.
Donna also supports the Foster and Adoptive Care Coalition and its’ Little Wishes Campaign.