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ABOUT US
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GOTR of WNC is a chapter of Girls on the Run International, established in 1996 by Molly Barker, a marathon runner and Ironman triathlete. Today, there are over 150 chapters across the U.S. & Canada, with several new locations added yearly. In 2008 40,000 girls were served in the U.S. & Canada.
The GOTR of WNC chapter was founded in 2002 by Rachelle Sorensen-Cox and has grown from serving 15 girls in 2004 to 768 girls in 2007. We currently have programs throughout the City of Asheville, as well as Buncombe, McDowell, Transylvania, Swain, Jackson and Haywood counties. New programs will be added at interested sites as the volunteer base to support them comes forward.
Please let us know if you are interested in getting involved!
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Girls on the Run of WNC is a not-for-profit organization that exists solely by program fees, and individual and corporate donations and grants. Girls on the Run Principals and Values• Express an attitude of gratitude
• Be honest in your actions and words
• Have personal, professional and family balance
• Be drug and tobacco free
• Seek the positive in all challenges
• Live a healthy lifestyle
• Encourage yourself and others to be themselves
• Be open-minded
• Always do the best you can at every moment
• Live in the moment and appreciate all that is around you
• Have fun!!
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Staff
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Molly Peeples
Molly Peeples is our current Council Director. Prior to teaming up with Girls on the Run, Molly was an elementary school teacher, Peace Corps volunteer and Political Organizer for a woman's reproductive rights non-profit in Colorado. Molly was lucky enough to have an amazing triathlete, mountain climber and runner for a mom. She joined the program hoping to pass on the gift of a powerful female role model to the girls in her community. She is a swimmer who also loves to ski and bike with her growing family.
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Board
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Rachelle Sorensen-Cox
Rachelle learned about Girls on the Run in the spring of 2001 and founded the GOTR of WNC Council. By September of that year was coaching 2 programs and talking about the program to anyone who would listen. She remains a dedicated and enthusiastic member of the board of directors, some-time coach and full time visionary.
Miller Graves
Miller joined Girls on the Run of WNC in January 2005 as the Council Director and coach. Her passion to show encouragement, motivation, healthy decisions and friendship to young girls was enhanced by her experience working with the small team of "big girl" volunteers during a time of rapid growth for the council. Miller works as an Architectural Assistant and Office Manager for Allison Ramsey Architects in Asheville, and serves as Chairperson of the GOTR board. She is currently coaching Girls on Track. Miller ran her first marathon in January 2006 with Team Tiara.
Laura Hayes
Laura joined the Girls On the Run board of directors in 2007. She has been a GOTR coach for the past 3 1/2 years. This is her eighth year teaching first grade. She believes in the importance of exercise for better emotional and physical health. She ran track and cross country in high school and loves encouraging girls to be active and make positive choices. She is very excited about learning more about the behind the scenes work that goes into a non-profit organization.
Michelle Goyeau
Michelle joined the GOTR in Spring 2007 with an interest in grant writing and fundraising. She is energized by the enthusiasm and dedication of the current Board members. Michelle believes that GOTR has the power and potential to transform the lives of girls in deep and meaningful ways unique to each girl that will endure for years to come. A runner off and on for years, Michelle enjoys the mental and physical challenges that running offers, however, it has been the camaraderie and friendships that she has made along the way that are most important to her. She worked with adolescents in substance abuse treatment programs for many years and currently works part-time at Western Highlands. She enjoys being a mom, spending time outdoors and with friends and learning to garden.
Jolene Puffer
Enjoys working with programs that invest in women and their futures. She loves being stretched and likes a challenge. She is the mother of two great kids and has a husband who supports her in everything she does even when it’s more than she should. She is a personal trainer with a business in changing lives. “I would like to make sure that my life and where I invest my time are consistent with what I believe in GOTR is all of that and more.”
Alison Goodman
Alison Goodman is the 7th Grade Counselor and Student Advocate at A.C. Reynolds Middle School. Working with adolescent girls inspired Alison to bring Girls on Track to her middle school and is now coaching the third season at Reynolds. A runner herself, Alison knows first-hand the benefits of exercise and healthy choices. She completed her first half-marathon with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Team in Training this past winter. She also enjoys hiking and yoga.
Tricia Johnson
Tricia Johnson joined GOTR as a volunteer coach in Fall 2006, starting chapters at two Buncombe County schools where she works. She is an elementary school social worker and licensed clinical social worker. Her field of interest includes working with youth through adventure-based and equine-assisted therapies. Being a GOTR coach was a great fit with these interests as well as her own personal passion for running. Tricia started running track in middle school and now is a distance runner. She is currently training for her 2nd marathon, fundraising for GOTR through Team Tiara. She gave birth to her first baby in May 2007. She enjoys being a new mom, gardening, and playing old-time fiddle and bass with her husband.
Sarah Bauerle
Sarah Bauerle first became involved in GOTR as a running buddy for the Spring 2007 5k, and quickly volunteered to be part of the fundraising committee. Sarah’s enthusiasm for GOTR stems from her desire to help other girls find the inner-strength and positive self-esteem she found through running. Sarah works as a Consulting Group Analyst for the Asheville Branch of Smith Barney. In her off hours, you can find Sarah on a trail, training for her next race.
Stacy McMichael
Stacy’s life has always involved children as far back as she can remember. She was a nanny for a set of triplets (too) many years ago and currently baby-sit for area hotels. She graduated from the University of Texas at San Antonio in 1995 with a bachelors in business administration with a concentration in accounting and has spent most of her time in corporate accounting.
Megan Morris
Brings to the table her belief that with the right direction we, as people, can accomplish what is truly in our hearts. A lifetime of athletic experience including the “Winner in Sport Class, Women’s year 2000 Ohio State Mountain Bike Championship”. A belief that kids like to be challenged and when they are challenged correctly they become confident young adults and ultimately better members of society. A college degree in art and marketing as well as fabulous photography and public speaking skills.
Charlie Knepper
After settling in Asheville from several years teaching for the US Park Service, Charlie is working towards a career as a high school science teacher. She loves working with adolescents and is excited to be a part of young peoples' lives. Having ran her first marathon in December of 2007, and training for another, Charlie is very aware of the importance of exercise and healthy eating.
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