Leader Spotlight - Mr. Colin
From being a student runner to proudly leading the SRLA team at RFK Community Schools-New Open World (NOW) Academy, Mr. Colin’s journey with Students Run LA has come full circle. Born and raised in Koreatown, Mr. Colin witnessed firsthand the transformative power of SRLA. This program shaped his life and that of his classmates, and now, as a 5th-grade teacher, he is now paying it forward to offer the same life-changing experience to his students. Recognized for his dedication and impact, Mr. Colin received the prestigious SRLA STAR Award this past May. Leading the SRLA team is an honor for Steven, and he is thrilled to support and inspire his students every step of the way!
What motivated you to become an SRLA Leader?
In 2007, I began my journey with Students Run LA as a student runner. I participated with SRLA from 7th grade through 12th grade. I was born and raised in Koreatown, Los Angeles, where I now teach 5th grade. When I became a teacher at the RFK Community Schools-New Open World (NOW) Academy K-12, I helped establish an SRLA team on our campus. Fully knowing the positive impact SRLA had in my life and that of my former classmates, I was confident that this program would be a life-changing experience for the resilient students of color within my community. This is my third year proudly leading that RFK NOW Academy team.
What is your favorite memory (so far!) from SRLA?
Becoming the 15-minute mile pace flag for the 2024 LA Marathon has to be my favorite memory so far. I remember looking out for that yellow flag, as a student runner, fearing that it would catch up to me and prevent me from completing a race.However, I found a whole new meaning to that same flag once I was given the opportunity to assume the15-minute mile flag position. I experienced large groups and individual student runners who were struggling both physically and mentally gravitating toward me. I was in a unique position to reassure them that they were doing great and motivate them to keep pushing forward.I am thankful for the opportunity to take on the 15-minute mile flag responsibility because it felt like a full circle moment for me, from being a SRLA Student Runner to a Friend of SRLA to a SRLA Primary Leader to the 15-Minute Mile Pace Flag. It is such an honor to be entrusted with the responsibility to keep up the pace for our runners and propel them to finish what they started. I look forward to continue to be the 15-minute mile flag next SRLA season, if given the opportunity.
What has been your biggest challenge as a leader? How did you overcome it?
The biggest challenge was helping to motivate struggling runners. I used my experience as an SRLA runner alumnus to explain that they could finish the marathon as long as they tried their best and didn't give up.
Mr. Colin’s 2024 LA Marathon Team
What’s something that people may be surprised to learn about you?
Something that people may be surprised to learn is that I did not complete my first Los Angeles Marathon.I pulled a muscle at the halfway point of the race. I was advised to not move forward at a medical tent. At the young age of 12, I experienced all sorts of emotions when that happened. Pain, frustration, fear, disappointment, and anger toward myself. I could have walked away and put it all behind me, but I chose to return the following school year to take on the challenge of running the LA Marathon once more with the support of my SRLA Leaders. Since then, I have completed 13 Los Angeles Marathons. Something I tell my students and runners is, "how you choose to react during difficult times will speak volumes of the kind of person you are," and that, "every experience is an opportunity for growth."
What is your favorite words of advice that you share with your students?
Trust the process. We have to take small determined steps to get to our end goal. When our motivation is lacking, the discipline we've instilled in you will carry you forward. Rain or Shine, We RUN. If it rains on a race day, the event will not be cancelled or postponed
What is something about SRLA that brings you joy?
Something about SRLA that brings me joy is witnessing my students gain confidence in their ability to succeed during races throughout the SRLA season and by extension within our classrooms. The values we instill in them, discipline and determination, translate into their academic achievement.
Anything else you would like to share?
I am still in complete disbelief that I was 1 of 4 SRLA Leaders to be selected for the 2023-2024 SRLASeason STAR Award.I want to take the opportunity to thank my former middle school and high school SRLA Coaches (Ms. DeQuiroz, Dr. Farber, Ms. Duran, and Dr. Lopez) for believing in me. I now comprehend the level of commitment and determination it takes to become an impactful SRLA Leader. I also want to thank Paul Trapani, Eric Spears, Desiree Chavez, Cassidy Smith, Carla Anguiano, Darlene Sarmiento, Abel Navar, Christine Pajak, and the whole SRLA Admin team for their constant support and positivity toward my team. While I do acknowledge my own efforts in attaining this level of success, I am aware that I am in a position to pay it forward because of all the individuals that believed in me. I will continue to serve my students and community to the best of my ability within and outside of the classroom.Finally, I want to give a shoutout to the other SRLA Leaders and Friends of SRLA on my team (Ms.Vargas, Mr. Adame, Ms. Contreras, Ms. Fuentes, Mr. Hayes, and Mx. Denney) this SRLA season would not have been the same without y'all. Thank you for grounding and supporting me in this impactful work.Three years ago, we went from having 8 student runners cross the 2022 LA Marathon finish line to now having 27 student runners cross the 2024 LA Marathon finish line. It is because of our collective efforts that our middle school and high school student runners gained the confidence to successfully complete the LA Marathon, 26.2 miles, and excel academically within our classrooms this school year.
2013 Los Angeles Marathon
Rapid Fire
My favorite race has been...
My favorite race has been the Holiday Half Marathon, when there were flash flood alerts and we were running in ankle deep water.
The longest run I've ever finished was...
A marathon, 26.2 miles, is the longest distance I have run, although I would like to complete an Iron Man at some point.
One thing I can't run without is...
My headphones. I have to listen to "Eye of the Tiger" at some point. However, the noise my Airpods make when they run out of battery is the worst.
My favorite place to run is...
The Silverlake Reservoir is my favorite place to run because it is where my former SRLA Coaches trained me and a similar route I use to train my students runners now. We run from the heart of Koreatown, where our school is located, to the Silverlake Reservior so once we get there the students have a choice of whether to begin their loop around the reservoir on the left or right side. I always tell my student runners, "you can choose to go the boring way with the down hills or the fun way with the steep hills!"
My favorite post-run snack...
Strawberry Poptarts is a must. A quick sugar rush and some carbs.
The best part of every race is...
Seeing my students proudly wearing their medals after the race. Knowing my students have that feeling of accomplishment and telling them, "you did the thing, sí se pudo!"
2022 Los Angeles Marathon