No one will ever accuse Dawn Rippelmeyer of lacking courage. Rippelmeyer’s confidence was on full display the summer before her freshman year at Naperville Central when, just weeks out of 8th grade, Dawn walked into the NCHS main gym to join the summer basketball pick-up games. The upperclassmen, impressed by her initiative, were quick to welcome the newcomer and her career as a four-year varsity point guard was born. Walking in the gym doors that summer of 1978 kicked off a storied athletic career that would ultimate lead to her induction in the Naperville Central Athletic Hall of Fame. Riding the confidence of that early summer connection, Rippelmeyer dove headfirst into her freshman year as an eager member of the Naperville Central cross country team, deepening her mental and physical discipline, and forging important friendships throughout her four-year varsity running career. Running behind, or in front, of Coach Tom Luthy was always an adventure: “He made the long runs and grueling speed work fun.” On long runs, Rippelmeyer remembers with a laugh that it was not Coach Luthy’s barking voice but rather his clicking ankle that the girls could hear as he caught up, sending not a not-so-subtle reminder to kick it into a higher gear during tough times. Under his warm mentorship, Dawn thrived, finding foundational footing as an athlete, competitor and woman in the world. The turn of the season found Rippelmeyer at home on the hardwood. As a four-year varsity point guard, Dawn guided Naperville Central to two Super-Sectional finals, though the team couldn’t get past Joliet East, led by inimitable All-American Pam Gant, who would go on to win two NCAA titles at Louisiana Tech. Despite the setbacks, Rippelmeyer found great competitive joy and team memories in the pursuit. A three-time unanimous selection to the DuPage Valley All-Conference team, the Aurora Beacon’s All- Area team, and the Rockford Holiday All-Tournament team, Rippelmeyer’s play was distinctive and powerful. While an individual force admired by fans, teammates, and opponents, Dawn found strength in her teammates. As she tells it, “I was fortunate to have very tall, talented, athletic teammates underneath the basket. Their tenacity and ability made us very successful.” She adds, “Kristie Swing, Stacey Land, and Terri Hipp were phenomenal teammates.” At the close of her senior season, Rippelmeyer was awarded the Wade Trophy for surpassing 1,000 points total career points. The tenacity Dawn displayed in the fall and winter found an enthusiastic new home in the spring as she poured her talents and energy into varsity track and field as a freshman, and varsity softball as a sophomore, junior and senior. As committed to her friends as she was to competition, Dawn found fun on and off the field: “Hanging out with friends, doing progressive dinners, cheering at football games and basketball games – all of it was a great part of high school.” Rippelmeyer put together an amazing four years as a four-sport varsity athlete, earning 12 varsity letters before leaving Naperville Central.That trademark Rippelmeyer courage, discipline, and leadership sharpened yet again as Dawn entered the prestigious United States Military Academy at West Point where she continued her basketball career for two more years with the Black Knights, eventually qualifying to the field of 64 NCAA Tournament in 1984. After earning a degree in Zoology from the University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee, and a Masters in Counseling from Long Island University, Rippelmeyer built a 35 year career in the United States Army. During that time, she has served two tours in Iraq and two tours in Afghanistan, and led others as Command Sergeant Major, First Sergeant, and Drill Sergeant. Notably, she was the first woman selected as the United State Army Provost Marshall Sergeant Major. Sergeant Major Rippelmeyer has earned several awards and decorations over the course of her distinguished career, including the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, the Meritorious Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Naval Presidential Unit Citation, the Drill Sergeant Badge, the Parachutist Badge, and the Air Assault Badge, among others.Dawn Rippelmeyer credits her success to a balance of mind, body and spirit, and her enduring advice is to take advantage of the lessons learned through high school athletics: teamwork, commitment, hard work and sacrifice. “Playing sports in high school teaches so many lessons that will carry you through and drive your success in later life […] treating teammates and opponents with respect and how to gracefully handle both success and failure are just a few of the things that will serve you well in your future,” Dawn shared. “Don’t let high school be the end of your athletic career. There are lots of opportunities throughout your life to continue both in team sports and as an individual […] Life is a complicated business and maintaining balance is critical to your future success.”Navigating it all with courage is a Rippelmeyer hallmark.