Hi! My name is Hailey Gunderson, and I am about to begin my senior year at San Ramon Valley High School. Since my freshman year, I have been a dedicated member of the varsity cross country and track teams, and I aspire to continue my running career at the collegiate level. Running has been a significant part of my life, offering a sense of community, the camaraderie of teammates, the guidance of an excellent coach, and the thrill of competition.

My passion extends beyond personal achievement; I am deeply committed to working with children, especially girls, to help them build confidence and develop a healthy relationship with fitness. Having grown up playing various sports, including competitive soccer, I have learned the importance of teamwork, communication, hard work, and perseverance. These lessons drive my commitment to giving back to young girls through sports.

For the past two years, I have been actively involved with Girls On The Run, starting as a junior coach. This role allowed me to witness firsthand the remarkable growth in the girls' social skills and running abilities from the start to the end of the season. Each week, I eagerly looked forward to our practice sessions, as they brought joy to my day and allowed me to mentor and support the girls.

Although my cross country and track commitments eventually conflicted with junior coaching, my dedication to Girls On The Run remained strong. This summer, I transitioned into an internship role, where I assist with social media content, marketing, coach recruitment, and promoting the organization at community events. Girls On The Run holds a special place in my heart, and I am committed to continuing my involvement with this impactful organization for the foreseeable future.