Katie Strickland-Final Video Reflection

I can't believe that after three months my volunteering with Girls on the Run is over. I am sad to see the end of it, but am unbelievably happy to see how far the girls have come from the beginning to where they are now. The girls became much more confident in themselves and were also able to complete an entire 5k after a lot of hard training.

I am beyond grateful for having the opportunity of serving Girls on the Run and hope to return to the organization again next year.

Kylie Russ - Final Video Reflection

Wow!  I can't believe that Girls on the Run has finally come to a close.  I am incredibly sad that it went by so fast, but also extremely grateful for this experience because I couldn't imagine a better service learning site. 

Here, I recap on the finale of GOTR and share a few favorite memories and challenges.        

               

  

This season has been absolutely wonderful, and I formed great relationships with so many new people.  I have grown to love every girl that participated as they opened up to me, and I can't wait to see what they do because their futures are very bright.  The coaches, Mrs. Davis and Mrs. Marshall, are wonderful people.  I can't thank them enough for welcoming us and making us feel valuable.  And the other Running Buddies from this class - Katie, Parker, Alli, and Chandler - made the experience all the worthwhile with their high spirits and constant support.

As you may be able to tell, Girls on the Run has been a huge part in making my first semester of college one to remember. I can't wait to volunteer with Seton's Girls on the Run next year and see those smiling faces again!

A few of the girls at the GOTR 5k! Delaney is in the purple jacket right below me.

Allison Butler - Final Reflection

I am feeling a little sad that this is my last blog post. I have enjoyed volunteering with Girls on the Run, and have realized how much I enjoyed it through documenting it. Below is a video of me articulating the good and the bad of serving at Girls on the Run - and it is mostly good!





If anyone who has ever worked for or volunteered for Girls on the Run is reading this, THANK YOU! I have seen firsthand the difference it can make in a young girl's life - and it is a big difference!
 

Final Video Reflection - Parker Michel

Now that Girls on the Run is over, I'm sad but so incredibly thankful for my opportunity to work with them! I hope that if the opportunity arrises, I'll be able to work with them next fall! If you are considering getting involved in the community in any type of way, I'd highly recommend getting in contact with GOTR. It has been such a fun, rewarding experience!

Girls on the Run is so much fun!

Final Video Reflection - Chandler Unfried

The Service Learning Experience began as just a task to fulfill in my CIS 112 class but has since become so much more.  The assignment is complete, but the experience is far from that.  I plan on working with Girls on the Run for their next season!!  The impact the program has made on me will be lasting.

Girls on the Run is so much fun!  Girls on the Run is number one!

Milestones - Kylie Russ Written Reflection 3

Girls on the Run is coming to an end, and it's incredibly bittersweet.  I am sad that it has to end, but I know that the girls are now fully prepared to not only take on the 5k race tomorrow (which I can't believe is already here!), but also to take on any issue that comes their way. They are such amazing young ladies with great potential.  I have gone to 10 practices, and each time I am blown away with their ambition to learn, work hard, and do their best. 

The girls have accomplished a lot in these past few weeks, including a practice 5k, our final lesson, and a bake sale.  Back on November 2nd, we ran with the girls the entire 3.2 miles. I don't know how many of you have ever ran 3.2 miles before, but it's a very exhausting task! I was so proud of the 2 girls I ran with because each lap we ran, they had such a positive attitude.  Even when they wanted to stop and walk, we would set goals for ourselves because they were so motivated to give it their all. We said things like, "Okay, at that tree we'll start running again, and we'll run until the next lap!" I didn't even have to be the one to encourage them - they cheered for each person we saw.  I could really tell how close of a bond the girls had formed with each other.

Our final lesson also showed me how genuine and loving each girl is. The lesson was called the "Love Chair", and each person got a chance to sit in it.  The girls would then run up to the person in the Love Chair and say one thing they love about that person.  I was touched by some of the positive things the girls were saying about each other.  I loved that the words - such as sweet, helpful, brave, fast, hard-working, funny, caring, and loyal - made each girl know that they were valued by their peers.

Another great milestone (no pun intended) for GOTR was the bake sale that we had last Monday, November 16.  The girls had brainstormed ways that they could help out the community, and unanimously decided on doing a bake sale to raise money for the Lexington Humane Society. They put up signs around the school, spoke on the morning announcements, and talked to their friends about the bake sale.  When the day came, every GOTR family brought in cookies, brownies, and chocolate-covered pretzels! So of course, I had to pitch in some money and get some treats myself!

I had the job of counting up all the money afterwards. In a span of 20 minutes after school, we raised $231.85 for the Humane Society. WOW!

I can't believe that tomorrow is the ultimate wrap up for Girls on the Run, but I am so overjoyed by how this season has gone.  I've seen the girls' hearts grow each time, and I am so proud of everything that they have accomplished.  Tomorrow will be bittersweet, but it will be a great last day of achievements.

The Final Stretch- Written Reflection Three by Katie Strickland

Picture taken after all the girls ran the practice 5k

I have to say with the 5k coming up this Saturday and one more celebratory meeting on November 30th, I am pretty sad to see the end of Girls on the Run. The time with the girls these past few weeks really flew by and it has been such a blast to see how far the girls have come from the beginning. The last couple of weeks the girls really pushed themselves during our running portion in order to prepare for the 5k. One or two weeks ago the girls actually ran a practice 5k, which upon completing each girl got a Gatorade and their picture taking with a decorated sign. Although many of the girls hated the distance they had to run, you could tell by the glow of their smiles once they completed the practice 5k that they were proud of themselves for running so far! I know I was proud of them for being able to run over three miles!

The last time we were at Girls on the Run we hosted a bake sale to help raise money for the Lexington Humane Society. We set up tables full of baked goods on both sides of the parking lot so when the parents came to pick up their kids, they could also pick up some baked goods.What I really liked about the bake sale was that it was donation based. There was a minimum donation amount of thirty cents, but even so we were able to raise $231. The money will be used by the human society to help purchase animals supplies such as food, toys, and leashes for the animals. I think just having it strictly be donations was good because it allowed people who maybe don't have a lot of money still purchase baked goods and for those who wanted to give more were also able to. It's really amazing the things that can be done when the community comes together.


All the girls and the amount of money raised after the bake sale
 

After all the time spent at Girls on the Run I realized how good it feels to be appreciated. In the past when I volunteered at different organizations I would sometimes feel as if I was just in the way and not really contributing anything to the service, but this was not the case at GOTR. I can't even count how many times the teachers expressed to us how grateful they were for the time we spent with them and the girls. One of the teachers, Mrs. Marshall, even said how the girls always talked about us at school and how much they loved being with us. Hearing that is exactly what makes all the time spent volunteering worth it, just knowing that you're making an impact on these young girl's lives. I have loved every moment spent with the girls and am sad to have to finally say goodbye.