gothnc.org
When we attended the Girls on the Run coaches training, we were told that we would see amazing girl “transformations” - We experienced beautiful miracles.
This year, 168,000 girls in over 200 cities across North America participated in GothR. The program focuses on using fun to inspire girls to experience joy, health, and confidence through curricular experiences and running. This season, our first, as a group from Rancho Minerva Middle School in North San Diego County, we had the largest GotR group in our region. During the season, not one of our 15 girls quit-unusual-especially because our group was funded by the GotR organization, so there was little monetary risk (Girls on the Run, 2015).
Miracles include one girl who, initially, could not complete a track lap. Fast forward to season's end, she complete a 5k. Shifting her mindset, she learned that exercise pain is good, doesn’t last, and results in lasting benefits for the body, heart, mind, and soul. 
Another girl was dragged to practice by Administrator Anna Lozano. Initially rebellious, over time, she began to contribute. One day, wearing jeans and high boots, she was my running partner. As we ran, we spoke about those less fortunate- those in the San Bernardino and Paris attacks - my mother's battle with cancer. Her motivation level elevated. She pushed - running most of the straights. When she showed up to the final 5k, we knew that Ms. Lozano, who dragged her to most practices and ran with her most days, was the inspiration for her being there. To our joy, fully engaged, she completed the run with pride.
Amazing was also the participation level. In all, we had a group of about 15 community members, some parents, but most staff attend practices.
At the 5k, we had more staff and family members than girls.
Another unique characteristic was Thomas Donovan. At coaches training, he was the only male. Always motivational, he inspired our girls to push physically, how to be safe, but purposeful in how they moved and engaged to gain physical strength and fitness. Tammra Taghaboni, our head coach, and the inspiration behind this entire program, was an amazing leader. Running the curricular component, she helped the girls see the heart, mind, body, soul, and brain behind the physical nature of the program, providing guidance in helping them learn tools for future success in life. She worked hard, and made a difference not only in the lives of our girls, but in the hearts of our staff members. 
We are hopeful for many more amazing stories and are trying to obtain funding for the Spring season. Many additional girls are begging to join, but we simply do not have the funds to pay for the Spring season. We will stay positive and continue to push for beautiful miracles!
Reference
Girls on the Run, 2015. How girls on the run began. Girls on the Run International. Retrieved from https://www.girlsontherun.org/Who-We-Are/Our-History
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