On Sunday, November 17, 2019 on a brisk morning, Sparta’s “Girls on the Run” program participants from various Sparta schools, geared up with their coaches and running buddies at Sussex County Fairgrounds to take part in a 5K run marking the culmination of Sparta’s GOTR 2019 Fall Season.
With music roaring, Sparta’s participants joined hundreds of other girls and their running buddies from schools across North Jersey (who are also part of GOTR - North Jersey) by lining up at the starting line for a 9:40 a.m. warm-up and the singing of the National Anthem.
At 10:00 a.m. the runners were off, and as they ran, crowds of family and friends supporting the girls and their running buddies lined the perimeter cheering them on.
As each Sparta runner completed the 5K, they crossed through the finish line with their heads held high. It was an incredible morning filled with cheering, camaraderie, encouragement, and accomplishment. In addition, every school remained onsite until the last runner crossed the finish line.
In witnessing the positive impact GOTR has on its participants, the Sparta Alumni Association reached out to Sparta’s GOTR organizer/founder, Melissa Fagersten, a Spartan Alum herself - Class of 1994.
When asked, “What was the inspiration behind organizing GOTR in Sparta?”, Melissa explained that as a mom of three daughters, when her oldest was in 5th grade, she noticed her going into a place of doubting herself where all girls go - the place where the insecurities start to creep in and they feel vulnerable. It was during this time that she states she stumbled on an article in a running magazine that combined running (a sport that she had grown to love an an adult) and lessons geared towards providing girls with the tools to navigate adolescence and a space to feel free to be themselves and celebrate their individuality. She states that remembering that raw time in her childhood, she knew with this program she could change that for her daughters and the girls in her community.
In Melissa’s words, “Girls on the Run is a positive youth development program that combines a research based curriculum that creatively integrates running, helping girls realize their potential is limitless.” An aspect of that curriculum is known as the “Community Impact Project”, which is where “each team develops a community impact project at the end of the season. They discuss as a team, an area where they would like to make a difference. They make a plan, set a timeline and put it into action. The goal of the project is to realize that even at a young age, they can make a difference in someone else's life. The process develops leadership skills in the girls and in turn, develops their confidence.” Melissa also states that many of the girls that go through the program, come back in high school, as coaches and volunteers for the race, and it is in those moments she feels a tremendous amount of pride because her prior teams come back and serve.
Since the 2019 Fall Season has concluded, the association asked Melissa what is one of her favorite moments from this season. She stated, “That's a tough question. There are so many blessings doing what I do. We had a girl that was struggling in the beginning of the season. She has multiple learning disabilities. We worked throughout the season with her, her committed coaches and her mom, to make it work for her and her team. It wasn't always easy, but we were all committed. She ran her practice 5k last week. Each team completes the distance before our actual big day so they don't have that stress of "can I do it?" She struggled to finish, but she finished. Her coaches set up a finish line for her. When she came through, my heart swelled.”
Before the interview was over, Melissa was asked one additional question, “What is one take away you would like every GOTR girl to leave at the end of the program?” She replied, “Do what is best for you. I have found that when a girl makes a decision, and I ask her if she thinks that's what's best for her, she almost always changes her answer. That needs to change.”
There is no denying this program is incredible and it is made possible because of alumni giving their time and energy to make a positive difference in the lives of girls who attend Sparta Schools.
If you are an alumni and interested in getting involved in GOTR, there are multiple ways. One can sponsor a team or even a girl. Sparta’s GOTR program has a policy that "no girl is turned away due to financial constraints". With a scholarship rate of nearly 40%, their donors are their lifeline. One can volunteer on race day - registering participants, setting up the race, etc. One can also become involved as a coach. With about 150 coaches each season, the coaches take the girls through the 10 week curriculum - leading them through the lessons. Melissa states, “It is a unique experience. You watch them grow and flourish in the 10 short weeks. The impacts are huge. The results are tangible.”
Sparta’s GOTR program is a success and a testimony to the hard work, time, and caring of Sparta Alumni like Melissa Fagerston. The association looks forward to next season’s 5K run to again showcase the outstanding program GOTR is.
Special thanks to Melissa Fagerston.
