A parent of a seventh-grade student mentioned to me this afternoon that cross country captures everything they love most about FSP: the way people support each other trying so hard; how good it feels to be outside together. “At every meet, I’m overflowing with love.”
It made me think of a conversation with a parent of a 2009 graduate who shared:
“These experiences were beneficial in two ways for my daughter. Middle schoolers engage with one another and potentially make new friends before entering high school -- which was exactly what happened... making that transition seamless, she went into high school with new-found friends. And it helped with meeting and engaging with middle schoolers from throughout the region."
Seven weeks into the cross-country season, it is so much fun to hear students talk about their experience so far:
“April always makes it fun. I like how April pushes us. So many hard things that we don’t want to do, we later think were super fun.”
“I like feeling encouraged and feeling like I did a good job.”
“I love the community aspect – getting to spend time with my friends… And then when you’re done with your race, you can turn around immediately and cheer on others. And you know what that’s like because you know how hard it is.”