At Girls on the Run, we believe small acts of kindness can create a lasting impact, and this season, the team from Ettrick Elementary School showed exactly what that looks like in action.
We are thrilled to recognize the Ettrick Elementary Girls on the Run team as the very first recipients of our She SOARS Award!
The She SOARS Award honors the incredible legacy of Jody Enoch, who first brought Girls on the Run to Chesterfield. Jody passed away in 2024, but her kindness, joyful spirit, and commitment to lifting others up continue to inspire our community every day. Through the She SOARS Award, we celebrate Community Impact Projects that reflect Jody’s values of sharing kindness, enjoying nature, and celebrating others.
This season, the Ettrick Elementary team truly embodied that spirit.
As part of the Girls on the Run program, teams complete a Community Impact Project designed to empower girls to make a positive difference in the world around them. The Ettrick girls came together to brainstorm ways they could support their school community, and they quickly landed on an idea full of heart.
The team created encouraging posters and signs to cheer on fellow students participating in the Special Olympics Little Feet Meet. Together, the girls designed colorful messages of support and hung them outside the student-athletes' classrooms before the big event. Their thoughtful words and enthusiastic GOTR cheer helped send their classmates off feeling celebrated, encouraged, and supported.
What made this project so special was the genuine joy the girls found in celebrating others. Their kindness helped create an uplifting and encouraging school culture — exactly the kind of impact the She SOARS Award was created to recognize.
When selecting the first-ever recipient, it was obvious that Ettrick Elementary’s project beautifully honored Jody’s legacy. Their compassion, teamwork, and encouragement reminded us all that empowering others is one of the most powerful things we can do.
We were especially honored to celebrate this moment alongside Jody’s family at the Girls on the Run 5K. From the award presentation to its place in Ettrick Elementary’s trophy case, Jody’s legacy of kindness continues to shine through the next generation.
Congratulations to the amazing girls and coaches from Ettrick Elementary for showing us what it truly means to SOAR!
