At Girls on the Run Union County (GOTR), we believe in empowering young girls to be joyful, healthy, and confident. Through our programs, we provide them with the skills they need to navigate life and realize their limitless potential. It’s always inspiring to see the impact of our efforts, and nothing exemplifies this better than celebrating our scholarship recipients who are also proud GOTR alumni. These young women have taken the lessons learned at practices and applied them to their academic and personal lives, making a difference in their communities and beyond.
The GOTR Experience: More Than Just Running
GOTR is much more than a running program; it's a transformative experience that teaches life skills through dynamic, interactive lessons, and running games. Our participants learn about the importance of setting goals, working as a team, and developing a strong sense of self. These principles stay with them long after they cross the finish line of their first 5K.
Scholarship Recipients: Shining Examples of GOTR Values
Our scholarship recipients embody the core values of GOTR, demonstrating that the program’s impact extends well into their futures. Here is a little about our 2 scholarship recipients:
Makenna Tyson graduated from Piedmont High School, was a GOTR girl from 3-5 grade at Unionville Elementary, and this past season was a Junior Coach at Piedmont Middle School for our Heart & Sole program. Makenna has over 160 hours of community service under her belt during her high school career. Here is just a snippet from Coach Makenna’s scholarship submission:
“When I ran for Girls on the Run in elementary school I always remember being excited to attend practice and see my friends. I remember being able to feel free, powerful, and creative in the Girls on the Run environment because my coach made us excited to attend every single practice. I also remember being positive and feeling like I could do a lot of good in the world after every single practice. The team I ran on had the best energy and we worked so well together as we contributed to the conversation and we took on every single workout as a team and worked together at all times. At the end of the season when we had the big 5K, I always remember the little details like my dad running alongside me the entire race, the happiness and smiles from all the parents, and even getting a medal at the end. Girls on the Run encouraged me to continue my love for running and a team bonding experience when I joined my middle school and high school cross country and track teams. I was able to bring this sense of positivity to my team all through my years of running and develop myself into the athlete I am today. I was so thrilled when I learned I could be a junior coach for Heart & Sole, as I want the girls I coach to feel as empowered and special as I did when I was in Girls on the Run.”
Avery Hammersmith graduated from Cuthbertson High School and was a GOTR girl for 4-5 grade at Hemby Bridge Elementary. Avery is highly involved in community service with several hundred hours done during her high school career along with a deep involvement with theatre programs. Here is some of what Avery had to say about the impact GOTR had on her:
“I participated in Girls on the Run in 2015-2016 and 2016-2017, my 4th and 5th grade years at Elementary School. This opportunity to participate allowed me a way to connect with other students and an outlet for fun. Between meeting other people, I would run my school’s track while chatting with new people daily. I always felt welcomed and seen by my teachers. We had time while we played get-to-know-each-other games and worked on finding out more about each other to build our friendships. I met people and made friends with other girls not in my class at school. Additionally, the culmination 5K gave me the place to share my connection with running and my friends, with my mother and father, who each ran it with me. This organization helped me experience the world of running fitness with an element of fun.”
The Impact of GOTR Scholarships
These scholarships are not just financial aids; they are investments in the future leaders of our communities. By supporting GOTR alumni in their educational pursuits, we help them continue to embody and spread the principles of confidence, compassion, and determination that they learned through our programs.
The stories of Makenna and Avery are just a few examples of how GOTR is making a difference. These young women are living proof that the skills and values imparted by GOTR create a foundation for lifelong success. They serve as role models for current GOTR participants, showing them that with hard work and perseverance, they too can achieve their dreams.
How You Can Help
Supporting GOTR scholarships is a way to invest in the future. Your contributions help us provide more opportunities for young girls to participate in our life-changing programs and continue their education. Together, we can empower the next generation of leaders.
Join Us in Celebrating Their Success
As we celebrate the achievements of our GOTR alumni scholarship recipients, we invite you to join us in recognizing their accomplishments and supporting the future of GOTR. Together, we can ensure that many more girls have the opportunity to discover their potential, achieve their dreams, and make a positive impact on the world.
Let’s continue to run forward, one step at a time, building a brighter future for all.
For more information on how to contribute to GOTR scholarships or to get involved with Girls on the Run, visit our website or contact us directly at info@gotrunioncounty.org Your support can make all the difference in the life of a young girl.