Who Says

Oil on board, 18x18, Oak floater frame
 
 
I was a Girls on the Run coach when the kids were in Elementary school.
 
Parents would line up at 6am at the YMCA to register to get their girl a spot on the team.
 
We were an afterschool program that taught girls self-esteem lessons while training to run a 5k.
 
A brilliant receipt to create a sacred circle for girls to open up about things like: making friends, gossip, bullying, feelings, nutrition, etc.
 
We got to make magic with these girls.  Meaningful conversations, fun activities, and running in the fresh air!
 
There was also a community service component in the curriculum.  
 
One season the team decided to do a baked-goods sale for the annual Lip Sync show and do a team dance at the show.
 
As coaches, we were SO excited to put this one together!
 
We got together and choreographed the 2-minute routine.
 
Our girls got to open the show!!
 
All 50 of them were lined up on stage and ready to show the school how excited they were to share the message:
 
“Who says you’re not perfect.
Who says you’re not worth it
Who says you’re the only one that’s hurting?
 
Trust me, that’s the price of beauty
Who says you’re not pretty?
Who says you’re not beautiful?
Who says?”
 
Those girls embodied the positive message of Girls on the Run and the song that night.  They jumped and cheered, and it felt like they were on top of the world.
 
It was pure joy to witness.
 
 
Music reference: Who Says, Selena Gomez & the Scene
Photo credit: @krista_c_photography