1) How long have you been involved with Girls on the Run of the Greater Chesapeake?

 Amy- four years (one with GOTR Lancaster)

 Heather, Lauren, Val- three years

 Chandra, Crystal, Rosie- two years

2) What drew you to the program to get involved? 

Amy- I was a coach while I was student teaching in college and was so excited to bring this program to the Eastern Shore!

Rosie- I was encouraged by my students to join last year! The girls were so excited, and we were already running laps together at recess, so it was just what I needed to get involved. 

Lauren- An afterschool program designed for just girls is rare I feel. It involves something I personally love and love to inspire in others. It not only builds a runner, but the character within that runner, and prepares them for other life experiences.

Val- As a classroom teacher where the focus of conversation is mostly academic driven, I was excited to be able to connect with the girls differently and learn more about them as a person. I also think it is an amazing opportunity for these elementary girls to begin learning how to run!

Chandra- I am in support of anything that helps grow confidence in girls! Personally, I have always struggled with self-confidence so teaching them strategies to focus on themselves and their inner strength helps me to know that I am helping them build into better women! I love seeing them push themselves to be the best that they can be!

Crystal- Working out is one of my passions and I am so excited to share this with girls so early in their lives! I hope it sticks with them for the rest of their lives!

3) Why do you think it's so important for girls today to have access to this program? 

It's hard to find people to talk to about being a girl (the good and the bad) when you're younger. GOTR encourages exercise, positive relationships, self-confidence, and self-management strategies. It strengthens everyday life skills and it makes exercising fun! Also GOTR builds healthy relationships with ourselves, others, and our bodies, in a world where so many people just compare themselves to others and shame themselves, especially when it comes to body image. We need to instill that healthy habit within our girls young to build their social emotional tool kit.

4) What fun memory would you like to share? 

We loved the perseverance the girls showed during our first ever 5K all the way in Baltimore in the pouring rain! We did not hear a single complaint, and they were so excited to be there after working so hard all season. However, another fun moment of that day was when we accidentally called the wrong number of our bus driver and the person who answered decided to play a joke on us and tell us our bus had actually broken down while we were on a bathroom/food break! We were stranded in a restaurant for thirty minutes before we found our bus and driver… perfectly safe a parking lot over!

5) What are some fun facts about you?

Amy- I love to travel! I have been to 24 countries and six of the seven continents!

Rosie- I love to travel for concerts and music festivals!

Lauren- I have hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon!

Val- I will be running my first half marathon in April (with three of the other coaches who are some of my best friends!)

Heather- When I was high school I used to do a lot of line dancing and recently started that up again. I may even get certified to teach line dance classes!

Crystal- I just became a grandmother for the second time!

Chandra- I have twelve chickens, three turkeys, six ducks and two donkeys at my house!