‘Daisy Dashers’ running club promotes confidence in Loris-area girls

Every Tuesday, rain or shine, a group of devoted teachers and 22 girls build self-esteem and physical fitness at Daisy Elementary School.

The all-girls club got its start in September by Betsy Faulk, physical education teacher at Daisy. Faulk used to teach middle school and realized many sixth-grade girls didn’t have confidence or the ability to easily make friends. The running club, which now has 22 members, was Faulk’s way of changing that.

“This gives them confidence and teaches them motivation and athleticism, and they learn how to work on a team,” she said. “It’s a good experience for them before they get into middle school.”

The “Daisy Dashers” – all fourth and fifth graders – practice every Tuesday and have already participated in one race. Next week they’ll take their new fitness skills to the North Myrtle Beach Park and Sports Complex for a one-mile fun run against Riverside Elementary.

Daisy’s team, however, may have a leg up: new sneakers.

“I never dreamed we would have the community and business support that we do,” Faulk said.

One of the volunteer teachers applied for a grant from Rack Room Shoes so each girl could buy a new pair of sneakers, and Daisy Elementary’s “Dashers” were awarded $2,200 last month. Other local businesses donated water, snacks, socks and transportation money so the club could motivate as many girls as possible, Faulk said.

“We were just so amazed,” she said. “ We thought, if anything, our donations would be like $500.”

Donning a pair of white hi-top sneakers, Selyna Young jogged her way around Daisy Elementary’s traffic loop Tuesday afternoon. After writing thank you cards to Rack Room Shoes, the girls warmed up with a few stretches before heading out for a mile run around the new loop.

Young, 11, said she loves the time she spends with the “Daisy Dashers.” Even the more uncomfortable times.

“I just want to get fit but sometimes, after I run, my stomach hurts,” she said.

Zaniya Griffin, 11, said the club teaches her better running techniques and gives the fifth-grader more confidence in other athletic fields, such as dancing and team sports. She said joining the club was also a good way to make friends with similar interests.

“I like to run and exercise,” she said. “And when I’m home or with friends, I run then too.”

Many of the girls who joined “Daisy Dashers” were not confident or motivated before the running club, said first grade teacher Whitney Pierce. The team gives students something to work toward – whether it’s running faster, farther or with better form – which boosts self-esteem, she said.

“Even if some of these girls aren’t necessarily the best at certain school subjects, they can be the best at this,” Pierce said. “It kind of levels the playing field and gives them a confidence boost they need.”

Rather than starting a club for team sports, such as soccer or softball, Faulk chose running because students can run “anywhere at any time,” she said. And rather than jump start a co-ed team, Faulk wanted to focus on boosting self-esteem in girls about to enter middle school.

“They’re going through a lot of changes and different feelings at this age, and it can be difficult to transition into middle school and find where you fit in,” she said.

This year’s club has been a success so far, Faulk said, and she expects to grow the group next year; whatever it takes to give Daisy Elementary’s girls all the confidence they need to succeed.

“Nobody else does this like we do,” she said.

This story was originally published December 10, 2015 at 4:39 PM with the headline "‘Daisy Dashers’ running club promotes confidence in Loris-area girls."