By: Laura Vences (she/her/ella)
Athletics Enrichment Coordinator

After a fun and successful summer with STRONG, we’ve launched the school year with two exciting programs: gymnastics for TK–5th graders and a growing Volleyball League for middle school girls. I’m thrilled to share that our volleyball program has expanded from 22 girls last year to 36 this season! The girls’ energy, excitement, and eagerness to learn and grow together has been contagious. Meanwhile, gymnastics is off to a fantastic start, giving our younger girls a strong foundation in coordination, strength, and confidence.

Building Healthy Habits and Confidence

My #1 guideline in STRONG is simple: have fun. When girls are enjoying themselves, they’re more open to trying new things, facing challenges, and supporting each other. Within that joy, we weave in lessons about teamwork, resilience, sportsmanship, and problem-solving.

Whether it’s learning to regulate emotions during competition, developing healthy routines around movement, or celebrating progress instead of perfection, STRONG empowers girls to build confidence both on and off the court.

Families and Girls Are Feeling the Impact

The feedback has been incredibly encouraging. Girls are excited to try new sports, sometimes for the very first time, and many are thrilled to play activities they have always loved but never had access to. Families have expressed deep gratitude for having a safe, supportive space where their daughters can grow in skill, strength, and confidence.

Story of Resilience

One of the moments that truly captured my heart happened during my very first weeks on the job. I helped put together our March Madness tournament with Evie, and the passion from the girls was unforgettable. They formed their own teams, practiced every day, and poured their hearts into the games.

In the championship, the Lakers faced off against the Blue Nuggets. The Lakers lost, and though their heartbreak was tough to watch, it showed how deeply they cared. I gave them the best pep talk I could, reminding them not to give up.

Months later, those same girls joined my summer basketball camp. They practiced hard all week, and on the final day they won. 25–23! The victory was more than just a score. It was proof of their resilience, growth, and belief in themselves after disappointment. That is what STRONG is all about.

Looking Ahead

As we move into the next few months, my goals are to:

• Expand access so more girls can participate.
• Continue strengthening our sense of community.
• Keep healthy living and mental health at the forefront.

Most importantly, I want STRONG to remain a place where girls feel connected, supported, and inspired to grow. At the end of the day, fun will always stay at the heart of everything we do. STRONG is more than sports. It is about helping girls believe in themselves, support one another, and carry that confidence into every part of their lives.

If you’d like to learn more about how your daughter can join STRONG, or if you’re interested in supporting the program, we’d love to hear from you!
👉Contact Laura today!

Together, we can help even more girls find their strength, confidence, and joy through STRONG. 💪✨