By Megan Sprague

Coaches Laura Marino and Colleen Whalen want the girls at Brawley Middle school to gain a fast-paced lesson in self-esteem.

Liz Mainous, 11, along with about 60 other students, go for a run after school at Brawley Middle. Regan Hill photo

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Into their third season, the two put together the “Rockin’ and Running” after-school group to “build positive self-image,” Marino said.

“It’s all about girls’ empowerment,” she said. “Middle school is a tough time, and the purpose of this group is to understand that we’re all different, but we all have similar feelings and we all get hurt.”

The coaches mix exercise and counseling each Tuesday and Friday to get the kids in shape mentally and physically.

This week’s group activity involved taping a piece of paper to each girl’s back and having the others write a positive message on it.

“The girls always say things like, ‘Hey! I didn’t know that I had nice eyes, or that people think I’m funny,’” said Marino. “They discover a lot through this exercise. I’ve done it each time and it’s a favorite.”

The “Rockin’ and Running” girls had nothing but nice things to say not only about their teammates and the group.

“You talk about how to take care of yourself, and I really like that,” said Cassandra Roman, a sixth-grade participant.

“It’s really raised my self-esteem,” said Lauren Westmoreland. “I also know I can push myself toward my goals.”

Marino said many of the girls who joined had never run before and were all at different levels, but the mission for everyone was the same.

“We build up the mileage at each meeting, so we can eventually get to a 5K, which is 3.1 miles,” she explained. “Then at the end of the 12 weeks, we run a local 5K.”

This year, their goal is the ReMax at the Lake run in Mooresville on June 7.

“We all wear our group T-shirts and try to start together and encourage each other along the way,” Marino said.

“We just want the kids to finish it strong, no matter what their time is,” added Whalen. “The training is not easy, and we love to see their faces at the end when they realize they did it.”

The students seem to be getting the message.

“I’ve learned I’m capable of doing anything I set my mind to,” said Delaney Hobbs, 12.

The group’s popularity has grown tremendously since the first season.

“It started with 20 girls, and I guess it was word of mouth and the kids bringing their friends,” Whalen said. “Now we have somewhere between 60 and 75 girls.”

“I moved here over the summer, and I thought this would be a good way to meet friends,” said Kimberly Orellann, 12. “I’ve met a lot of people and I’ve become a better runner, learning how to pace myself.”

“The group promotes getting in shape in a fun way,” added Theresa Jaroszewski, an eighth-grader and one of Orellann’s new friends.

The girls and the coaches aren’t the only fuel that keep this group going. Whalen emphasized that the parents also lent a hand, encouraging the girls to do their best.

“The parents we have are great,” Whalen said. “They’re so connected and a lot of them even show up to practice and cheer the kids on. We couldn’t do it without them.”

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