Just like most everything else they do together these pandemic days, LINC’s Girls on the Run (GOTR) teams and their new season’s energy are tethered to computers.

Oh, there would be some movement in this first meeting of the year this week by the Border Star Montessori School team, even if the actual running would have to be done on their own.

“Do you have some space around you?” Border Star Caring Communities Site Coordinator Shelley Taylor-Doran said to the gallery view of girls popping into the virtual classroom.

Taylor-Doran and GOTR partner Kayla Turner huddled, in masks, in the school classroom, prepping the fleet of GOTR team members for the volunteer coaches who would soon launch the new — most unusual — GOTR fall season for 2020.

“Thumbs up if you can hear Ms. Taylor!”

All thumbs were up, and the new season began.

Several LINC sites have been participating in the Girls on the Run program that brings girls together to build their strength, confidence and self esteem.

Usually they meet before or after school, journal together, share ideas and, of course, exercise together.

But here came their volunteer coaches, ready to make this virtual reality work.

Here was Coach Shayla — that’s “Charismatic Coach Shayla,” in line with how the GOTR program creates special names.

The other coaches picked their names: “Jazzy Jen,” who was joined by two University of Kansas students tuning in from Lawrence, “Creative Carly” and “Energetic Emma.”

Coach Shayla told the eight girls in the program to reach out and stretch and sway in front of their computer cameras, repeating mantras together.

“I like myself today.”

“I like my Girls on the Run team today.”

Say encouraging words to each other, the coach says: “Good job!” “You’re being great today!”

They start cheering each other. They are “Magnificent Madison,” “Sofi-Sophia,” “Cat-Loving Carly,” “Incredible Isabella,” “Positive Priscilla,” “Colorful Charlotte,” “Amazing Angie,” and “I-Credible Aidee.”

They started their journals. Went over their expectations for their virtual sessions and their homework, taking energy breaks to do things like star jumps in front of their cameras.

Together, if only virtually, the program’s goals remain the same, Coach Shayla said.

“We’re getting to know each other,” she said. “We’re empowering each other, encouraging each other. That’s what Girls on the Run is all about — helping you be your better you, the best you can be.”

They finished all-in with virtual hands, the computer screen filled with the next best thing to a hands-together team huddle.

“Girls on the Run is so much fun!” they said in hushed unison. Then echoing loudly, “Girls on the Run is so much fun! Whoooo!”

By Joe Robertson/LINC Writer