The SRLA 2019 - 2020 Impact Report
99.5% of SRLA students who started at Dodger Stadium crossed the finish line 26.2 miles later in Santa Monica
Wow – what a season! Students Run LA ran the Los Angeles Marathon in 2020!!! Perhaps not remarkable after 30 years and running but, with COVID-19 shutting everything down just five days later, we felt incredibly lucky and thankful that our runners were able to make their marathon dreams come true.
On March 8, 2020, 3,149 SRLA runners, including 2,690 students, took on the ultimate test of grit and perseverance – the completion of Los Angeles Marathon. 99.5% of SRLA students who started at Dodger Stadium crossed the finish line 26.2 miles later in Santa Monica, learning along the way that if they can run a marathon, they can do anything!
Our students’ growth this past season was incredible. But don’t take our word for it - our annual student survey documents the improvements our students made. Below are just some of the highlights.
Once again, SRLA students significantly increased the time they spent on physical activity, making exercise a regular habit that they will continue long after the SRLA program ends.
Students also reported making positive changes in their diet, reducing the amount of junk food they eat and drink and increasing their consumption of fruits and vegetables.
“In order to pursue running, I needed to make the trade off for a healthier life and get rid of my unhealthy habits and attitudes.”
Perhaps most importantly as we are now connecting with each other in a virtual world, SRLA students also reported feeling a sense of belonging in being part of such a supportive group. This sense of community is more important as we face these unprecedented times, together.
“Through the whole SRLA experience, I’ve learned a lot about myself and I learned how one common goal can bring a community together.”
Michael with his SRLA Leader, Andy Molnar, at Contreras Learning Complex
SRLA students reported feeling a sense of belonging in being part of such a supportive group.
The graduating SRLA Class of 2020 is leading the way. In our annual Senior Survey, nearly 98% of SRLA seniors reported that they were graduating high school and, before the COVID-19 health crisis hit, 94% of these graduates had plans to attend college in the fall.
With life interrupted, it is not surprising to learn that many SRLA seniors have changed their plans. Still, 90% of SRLA seniors who responded to the Class of 2020 Senior Survey reported that they still planned to attend college in the fall. Only 5% of students reported being uncertain of their post-high school plans. You can read the full Senior Survey Report here.
SRLA’s supporters are helping these students make their way to college. In June, 93 graduating SRLA seniors were awarded SRLA Scholarships. In addition, five SRLA seniors were also awarded the Honda Power of Dreams Scholarship. These scholarship recipients are sharing their SRLA stories all summer long on our blog. Valerie, a recent graduate from Legacy High School who will be attending UCLA in the fall, kicked things off with her story, Pushing Past Barriers.
SRLA’s impact, however, is greater than any number or statistic. The resiliency that our students learned over the course of their seven months of training with SRLA is invaluable to the challenges that they face today.
SRLA will keep on running - no pandemic is stopping us. Now, more than ever, SRLA is needed to help students find the strength not just for today but for the future. Hope you can join the next class of SRLA runners in making an impact - there are so many ways to get involved (ways to give, pass the baton club, sponsorships, volunteer, run a SRLA race)!