• Girls on the Run Silicon Valley
• School: Van Meter Elementary School 
• Accomplishment: This non-profit running program encourages preteen girls to develop self-respect and healthy lifestyles. The curricula addresses all aspects of girls’ development—physical, emotional, mental, social and spiritual well being. 
• Key to Awesomeness: Last Tuesday afternoon, 31 third- through fifth-graders huffed and puffed their way around the school field's perimeter. After every lap (just under one-quarter of a mile), each runner stopped briefly to jot down an inspirational word or two on a poster. Faces glowing, they wrote in big, loopy letters: “Awesome! Smile! Hope. Confident. Being there for people. Positive. Love Who You Are. Stand Tall.”  

“Today's lesson is about all unplugging our negative cord and plugging in the positive cord to help us think positively about ourselves,” said Sonnie Pickering, one of five mom volunteer coaches, who holds the “powerful, well-thought out program” so dear, she continues to volunteer along with daughter Allie, who has moved onto Fisher Middle School. “I was never an athlete as a kid and it took me a long time to feel good about myself,” said Sonnie. “I want to pass on to kids at a younger age that abililty to try different things and feel a sense of accomplishment.”

The program, which is open to all third- through fifth-grade girls, meets twice a week after school. In addition to Van Meter, Daves Avenue, Blossom Hill and Lexington Elementary schools also offer Girls on the Run.

The girls meet twice a week and on average run between one and two miles. Over the course of ten weeks they will work up to three miles. The running is broken up with games and other activities. The program culminates in a 5K run at Vasona Park attended by more than 1,000 Girls on the Run participants, plus friends and family.

When asked why she likes Girls on the Run, Olivia Leonardis, 8, a tiny third grader with a huge head of brown curls and two missing front teeth said, “Because it teaches me not to give up!”