A Message from Flagman Joe
Earlier this month long-time SRLA leader from Banning High School, Joe Mendoza, reflected on the challenges that make this school year unique and how SRLA is essential during these times.
I've been doing Students Run LA since 1997, and this season is, by far, the most challenging, even more so than last year. Students seem less motivated in the classroom, and it spills into all aspects of their life.
In my classroom, I've always experienced enthusiasm and excitement between myself and students. This year, maybe I'm getting older or something, but the students seem more in tune with their devices than ever before. I can force them to put their phones away and stick to the lesson but I can tell they are just waiting to send the next text message or look at TikTok.
This is where SRLA becomes more meaningful. Despite these challenges, I have seen that my SRLA kids have enthusiasm and pump a little life into the day. Despite the masks being worn, SRLA can make things feel normal again. I know this is true for myself and the returning runners. For the new runners, many of them new to the school (this year we have two and a half grade levels that are "new"), being a part of SRLA seems to make things a little more normal.
This season has been tough. With masks and virtual races (and I've even maintained some virtual training runs as well) it seems like we are an improved version of last year. It's what we have to do but it serves as a reminder of what happened last season and the fact that if things go wrong, things could go all virtual again. Kids have tested positive and had to take a long break from training. We get COVID tested at school every week. Even though it's a great feeling seeing things open, it's always hanging over our heads that another shutdown is within the realm of possibilities. I train the students as if there will be no more shutdowns but I've maintained a virtual aspect of the program so if we do shut down, the program can continue to flow virtually.
As the 15 min/mile flag pacer for SRLA I know that the concept of “Nobody Left Behind” is core to the program. This year has been especially challenging in the literal meaning of that statement. Because of a new state law that forces High Schools to start at 8:30 a.m. and no earlier, school now ends at 3:30 p.m. instead of 3:00 p.m. This means that our runs that used to end around 5:00 p.m. as it was getting dark, now end at 5:30 and, at least right now, it’s totally dark outside. I’ve had to alter what I’ve been doing to accommodate because of safety concerns. I’ve always had runners stay in packs so no one is left alone and feeling like they are left behind. This year, as I mentioned earlier, some runners are having difficulty staying focused and have had trouble keeping up. I’ve had to had serious talks with students about their ability to keep up more than I ever have before. I believe it’s part of the fact that for 18 months, many kids (according to them) laid in bed all day long. It’s hard to wake some of them up from such a long hibernation.
SRLA never stopped. We never missed a season. We had to come up with new ways of doing things and ways to adapt to an ever changing world around us. We may have found an effective way for the kids to be even more prepared for the LA Marathon. Of course things like masks and distancing we hope go away sooner than later. But it seems that no matter what challenges face Students Run LA, there is always a solution.
Because of you, SRLA never stopped. Your support helped ensure that we never missed a season. Now, I am asking you to help our students re-connect and move towards a brighter future.
I hope you’ll join us, in supporting SRLA runners by making a special year-end donation. You can ensure that SRLA students have the tools they need to cross the finish line and overcome any challenges that may come their way.