Smiles and Pride for Sandy Hook “Girls on the Run”
- An Excerpt of an Article Written by Margaret Lindenburg about the “girls on the run” program funded by the Resiliency Center of Newtown.
After weeks of practices and training, thirteen girls from the Sandy Hook Elementary School’s Girls on the Run group completed their very first 5K road race on Saturday, December 7, at the Jingle Bell Run in Trumbull.
Pictured here are GOTR members: Elizabeth, Shannon, Grace, Lauren, Meghan, Brooke, Olivia, Maggie, Anneliese, Jackie, Emma and Katie. Also pictured are their coaches, including Gina Ancona, their Ridgefield High School run buddies (Emma Scott, Catie Buczek, Hannah Mercorella, Elizabeth Carr, Lily Meyers and Margaret Lindenburg) and Stephanie Cinque, founder of the Resiliency Center of Newtown, the organization that funds the Girls on the Run team of Sandy Hook Elementary School.
A Note From The Mother of A 2nd Grade Sandy Hook Elementary School Girl:
“I had to tell you – when we got home today from the race she ran into the kitchen where North, our Elf on the Shelf, was hanging out. She excitedly told him “North, today was the best day of my LIFE!”. She told him all about the race and how much she loved it. This girl has come a long way from where she was on 12/14/12! She came home from school that day pretty much shattered. She was just an empty shell. I didn’t know if we were ever going to get her back. For weeks she looked pale, had no interest in anything, wouldn’t eat, had no ambition, no joy. Everything frightened her. It’s been a really rough year. Today was like a reawakening in her! I want to thank you soooo much for bringing this program to us! She has loved it soooo much! She has pushed herself further than ever before and she is so proud of herself – and so are we! She’s already looking forward to her next race! And many thanks to her running buddy, the girl that ran with her today! It was awesome!!!!!!!!!! We are looking forward to the pizza party! Please let me know if there’s anything we can bring!” Thank You!!!!
