Meet Nichole Bryant and Rebecca Ducharme, Elm Street Elementary School staff members and GOTR coaches!
“An after school program that helps young girls build confidence, make friends, and move their bodies” is all Nichole and Becca needed to hear to commit to making Girls on the Run a reality at their school in the Fall of 2023. A year later, they are in the middle of coaching their third consecutive GOTR season at Elm Street School in Mechanic Falls!
In a short time, Nichole and Becca have become an integral part of our GOTR-Maine community. Not only do they volunteer their time to coach the program, but they have also supported GOTR by dedicating more time to attend our fundraising events, such as Cultivate Confidence. Furthermore, their success at Elm Street has contributed to GOTR spreading to other schools in their district, RSU 16.
Bringing GOTR to Elm Street School has had a positive impact even beyond the kids on the team– it has extended to the whole community. The Community Impact Projects the team has chosen and felt really proud of have involved positive recognition of school staff and cleaning up the school grounds. Elm Street staff have come together to cheer the team on at both the practice 5K and Celebratory 5K in Brunswick. Additionally, through coaching, Nichole and Becca have learned to appreciate the little things more. These are wonderful examples of the positive ripple effect Girls on the Run can have in a community.
Girls on the Run-Maine and the Mechanic Falls community are so lucky that Nichole and Becca joined GOTR! Continue reading below to hear more about GOTR in their own words.
Interested in making a positive impact in your community, like Nichole and Becca? Email our Program Manager, Anne, at anne.merkel@girlsontherun.org for more information. Not ready to start your own team, but want to see what GOTR is all about? Volunteer at our upcoming Celebratory 5K on Sunday, 11/10. Sign-up here: https://www.pinwheel.us/register/index/GOTRFALL245K?sid=bf8c31a558f04e4ba40cd02f8c8db194
How did you become involved with GOTR? What made you want to be involved?
We first heard about GOTR while golfing with our administrator. Hearing we would be helping young girls build confidence, being who they truly are, making friends while supporting each other, all while moving their bodies, we were hooked!
What is your favorite GOTR lesson or activity?
One of our favorite lessons is during lesson 3 when we play Star Power Tag. The girls really enjoy this game, and it beautifully illustrates the concept of helping yourself or asking for help from others.
What is something GOTR has taught you?
GOTR has taught us to appreciate the little things more. What seems to be a small moment with them during practice is greatly impacting the girls overall. Seeing them use techniques we have learned outside of practice makes us feel proud and makes coaching that much more fulfilling.
What is a highlight from one of your GOTR seasons?
One highlight we will always cherish is from our first season coaching GOTR. We had someone who was quiet, reserved, and just seemed to be taking things in. By the end of the season, she was actively engaged, encouraging others, leading warm ups, and you could just see her confidence coming through.
How has GOTR impacted the Elm Street community?
GOTR has given girls in our community a chance to be stronger and be there for one another. Doing the Community Impact Projects helps give the girls a purpose and feel that they can make the world a better place simply by being in it. The girls were proud and felt good about themselves after leaving teachers appreciative notes/flowers or getting encouraging words after picking up school property. It is also so inspiring to see ESS educators come together and cheer on the girls at the practice 5k and Celebratory 5k!