DEC girls build confidence and friendships through running

Posted on May 1, 2024 by The Dunmorean

Members of the DEC’s Girls on the Run team shown in the school gym. (Courtesy: Emily Coleman)

“Girls on the Run” is a national nonprofit with the goal of inspiring young girls to be healthy, joyful and confident. Dunmorean Online Editor Emily Gerchman recently spoke with Emily Coleman, a coach for the Dunmore Elementary Center’s “Girls on the Run” team to learn how the program is impacting girls in our community.

Emily Gerchman: Tell me about the DEC chapter of “Girls on the Run.” How long has it been going on and who’s involved?

Emily Coleman: “Girls on the Run” has been offered at the Dunmore Elementary Center several times over the past couple of years. Jaime Coleman, Linda Valvano, Bridget Robinson and I wanted to keep it going this year, so we reached out to district officials and became certified Girls on the Run coaches. Along with the four of us, we have several other moms and teachers who help us run the program: Sara Amendolaro, Jen Dempsey, Caroline Gentile, Bobbi Hughes, Melissa Loughney, Katie McKenna, Kristina Petrauskas, Kathy Scanlon, and Laura Shultz.

EG: What made you want to get involved in this program and become a coach?

EC: I had heard so many wonderful stories about “Girls on the Run” and the curriculum that goes along with it. I knew that I wanted to share my love of running while incorporating mind and body positivity activities with my daughter Maddy and the other girls at the DEC. GotR is so much more than just running.

EG: The girls have been working towards running a 5K, right?. How has that been going?

EC: The girls have come so far in their running since we first started meeting on March 7. They stay after school two times a week for an hour and a half. Our end goal is to complete a non-competitive 5k by running, jogging, walking, and even skipping across the finish line. [That] is going to give the girls a sense of accomplishment and confidence because they have set this goal and will achieve it on May 18.

EG: What does “Girls on the Run” offer young girls in the borough? What do you hope the kids involved get out of it?

EC: Dunmore’s Girls on the Run offers girls in grades 3-5 the opportunity to participate in a 10 week program that culminates with a celebratory 5K. Each girl gets to choose a running buddy who is over the age of 16 to run with them during the 5K.

The girls also create a community impact project in which they come together as a group and think about how best they can help in the community. My biggest hope for all of the girls who participate in Girls on the Run is that they realize being active whether it is running or just playing outside makes you feel so much better.

EG: What’s your favorite part about being involved in Girls on the Run?

EC: My favorite part of Girls on the Run is seeing 43 girls laughing and having fun while being active. I hope that they take as much as they can from the lessons and realize how strong they are and how confident they can be.

EG: What would you say to a student who might want to join the program and become “a girl on the run?”

EC: I would tell them that this program is so much more than just running! As “Girls on the Run” says: The 5K is “Your K, do it your way!” There is no pressure to run the 3.1 miles – the goal is to finish it however feels best for you. We help them find their “happy pace” and encourage them to stick with it and to just be proud of what they can do.

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You can learn more about the program and what it means to be a “girl on the run” by visiting https://www.gotrlehighpocono.org/.

‘Help’ fundraiser for ScrantonShakesfeatures music tribute to The Beatles

Posted on May 1, 2024 by The Dunmorean

Two Dunmoreans will be among the featured performers in a tribute to The Beatles to be held on Saturday, May 18, at 3 and 6 p.m. at the ShakesSpace at the Marketplace at Steamtown. Entitled “Help,” the event will benefit the 13th season of the Scranton Shakespeare Festival and feature both local and New York talent.

Among the Dunmoreans appearing will be Brian McGurl and Joe McGurl. Spencer Shotto of Dunmore is technical director.

Other area talent includes Erin Malloy, Kelly Jean Graham, Madelyn Casey, LaToya Martin, Michael Bradshaw Flynn, Sarah Pugliese, and Molly Cerep, and others to be announced.

This concert follows last year’s successful tribute “Sunday with Sondheim.”

General admission tickets are $40, and patron tickets are $60 including a cocktail hour with special hors d’oeuvres, and priority seating. Tickets are available at scrantonshakes.com/tickets

Athlete of the Month: Rachel Walsh

Posted on May 1, 2024 by The Dunmorean

***Rachel Walsh of the Lady Bucks softball team is shown with her homerun and 200 strikeout balls. Rachel is 6-0 with a 1.69 ERA and 56 strikeouts. She is also batting .600 and 16 RBIS***
***and has 200 career strikeouts as a freshman.***

By Steve Svetovich

Dunmore sophomore pitcher Rachel Walsh is not only excelling this season for the Lady Bucks on the mound, but also at the plate.

Daughter of Kevin and Michele Walsh, Rachel has a 7-2 record on the mound and sparkling 1.75 ERA at press time..

Last month she recorded her 200th career strikeout against Riverside. She has 236 career strikeouts at press time.

A total of 144 of those strikeouts came in her freshman year when she won nine games and had a 3.59 ERA.

The sophomore standout batted .405 with three homers last season. She also plays first base.

Rachel at press time is batting .520, with a .625 on base percentage, one homer, five doubles, 13 hits, 13 runs scored, 17 RBIs and an .840 slugging percentage.

The highly-talented sophomore attributes her strong improvement on the mound this season to a lot of hard work. “I really put a lot of work into my pitching in the fall and winter months,” she said. “I did my job as a freshman, but knew there was room for improvement. I set some goals to get better. The hard work is paying off for me.”

She talked about what it takes to excel on the mound. “You need to put in long hours and put the time and effort in. You need motivation and determination to be one of the best.”

Rachel said veteran Dunmore softball coach Ryan Ferguson taught her a lot. “He always tells me to never get down on myself. Everything will be okay in the end. One bad game won’t hurt you. You can bounce back.”

Well-versed and multi-talented, Rachel is also a two-year member of the Dunmore Lady Bucks basketball team where she was part of a state championship as a freshman. She is also a member of the bowling club, French Club and Art Club.

Rachel has an impressive 4.0 academic average. Her favorite subject is math.

The Dunmore softball team finished 9-12 last season, but this year is 7-2 at press time.

Rachel talked about the team’s improvement. “We all stay positive. Everyone has high hopes. We practice longer and harder. We’ve become more consistent with our hitting and it is showing. We also have two freshmen on the team, Emily McGowan and Paige Ancherani, who are contributing a lot to our success. Both are great outfielders and can really hit. Emily also plays first base.”

Well-spoken and enthusiastic, Rachel said she would like to play softball and study engineering in college. She would like to become an architectural or mechanical engineer and is considering Penn State among others.

The sophomore student-athlete enjoys listening to music in her spare time. She would like to see country singer Morgan Wallen in concert.

Determined and focused, Rachel said she is making the most of her experience at Dunmore.

“I love Dunmore,” she said. “It’s a small and close-knit town. Everyone is so supportive both in the town and at school. I am very fortunate to grow up in a small town. I love playing for the Dunmore Lady Bucks softball team. We have a really good team. I love our coaching staff and teammates.

“We had some tough times in my freshman year, but our softball team is really improved now. We hope it continues and are working hard as a group so that it does. We expect great years ahead.”

Rachel also praised her parents. “They tell me I can do anything I set my mind to. And no matter what, they will always be by my side. I have their never ending support.”