Please join us as we celebrate our amazing Riverview Elementary School Coaches for their Girls on the Run of the Greater Chesapeake (GOTRGC) Coach Spotlight! From left to right are Laurie Irons, whose GOTRGC name is Inspirational Irons, and Maddie Mason, who goes by Motivated Mason.
Laurie’s been a GOTRGC coach for 4 years, and Maddie’s been a GOTRGC coach for 5 years! We’re extremely grateful for their dedication to serving their community, believing in our shared mission, and hosting Girls on the Run at their school. They’re the definition of a GOTRGC Superstar, and we’d like to send energy awards to them, and their team!
Read their spotlight answers below!
1. What drew you to the program?
We were drawn to the program because we both love running, and spending time with our students outside of the classroom setting. We love GOTR because the program uses running, not just for fitness, but as a tool to help girls discover their strengths, set goals, and support one another. Watching girls grow in resilience, self-belief, and kindness, while building healthy habits is powerful, and we wanted to be part of that positive change!
2. Why do you think it's important for girls today to have access to this program?
Girls today face so much pressure and noise from the world around them, especially when it comes to confidence, friendships, body image, and knowing their worth. Girls on the Run gives our girls a safe space to grow into who they are, not who they think they have to be.
It teaches them how to handle challenges, build healthy friendships, set goals, and trust their own voice. Giving girls these tools now sets them up to be strong, compassionate, and confident women later, and I believe that matters more than ever.
3. What is a fun memory you'd love to share?
A few years ago, we had a cold and rainy 5K in December. We had 25 girls attend this 5K, and although they were bummed by the weather, they didn't let the weather affect how they would perform in the 5K. It was evident that some of the lessons we taught during that season about perseverance, and controlling what we can control clicked for our girls. We put on our rain ponchos, and stuck it out! We were all freezing and soaked, but the girls were so proud of themselves, and it was a 5K we will never forget!
We’re so happy to spotlight their journey with us, and read their stories. Thank you so much to Laurie Irons and Maddie Mason for their support and kindness. Their support with coaching our afterschool program helps ensure that girls have access to essential life skills, and create meaningful friendships.
If you’re interested in coaching and changing a girl’s life, consider signing up as a Girls on the Run of the Greater Chesapeake coach today, at https://www.pinwheel.us/volunteer/signup/Spr26NEWCOACHGOTRGC. The deadline is January 9th, 2026, so sign up, and tell your friends about this amazing opportunity!