When Bella started Girls on the Run, she was not only a brand-new 3rd-grader – she was experiencing school for the very first time. 

Bella’s parents hadn’t sent her to kindergarten or beyond. But after a judge-mandated custodial change, her grandmother became Bella’s primary guardian and immediately enrolled her. With no prior classroom experience, Bella struggled to keep up with her peers in reading and writing. In addition to the academic challenges, she carried a sense of uncertainty, often feeling sad, frustrated, and unsure of herself. 

But everything began to change when Bella joined Girls on the Run of Northern Virginia, after a teacher suggested she consider the after-school program. 

Through the program’s lessons and activities, Bella began practicing key social-emotional skills that helped her navigate the many challenges in her life. She learned how to identify and manage her emotions, use positive self-talk, and establish supportive relationships with her teammates. Instead of reacting to situations with sadness or frustration, she started to show resilience, kindness, and thoughtfulness.

Now, three seasons later and preparing for her fourth, Bella is unrecognizable compared to the little girl her grandmother first started caring for. Her grandmother shares that Girls on the Run didn’t just give Bella something to do after school – it gave her a new, positive direction.

The biggest lessons Bella has learned from Girls on the Run? That she matters, and that she is great just the way she is. If someone calls her ugly, she has the confidence to know it isn’t true and that she is beautiful. She knows that if someone gives her a hard time, she has a team of family, friends, and teachers standing behind her. 

And just as importantly, Bella knows she can be that support for other girls, too. At only 10 years old, she understands her worth, shows empathy towards others, and has found a true sense of belonging in a world that once felt overwhelming. 

Bella looks forward to every new season of Girls on the Run. She was so eager to continue that the day registration opened for fall 2025, she reminded her grandmother to sign her up multiple times. 

At Girls on the Run, we believe every child deserves the chance to shine. For Bella, that chance was life-changing, and the skills she has learned will guide her for years to come.