GALLERY: Val Demings visits Girls on the Run

When Girls on the Run at Southwest Middle School invited Val Demings, District 10 candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives, to speak to the girls, Demings decided she would join in the workout too. 

“If we’re going to make an investment, it has to be all the way,” she said.

She encouraged the girls to live to their full potential and aim to do things that could be considered unconventional for women, like becoming engaged in math, technology and science, or pursuing careers like becoming president, principal or police chief. 

Demings also told the girls not let fear keep them from doing the things they want to do, such as enrolling in challenging classes. 

She was grateful to be part of Girls on the Run.

“It’s such a good program because they use fitness to motivate girls to live to their full potential,” Demings said. 

ABOUT GIRLS ON THE RUN

Girls on the Run is an organization where small teams of girls meet at schools and community centers throughout the U.S. The organization uses fitness, relationship building, teamwork and respect for self to help teach girls to reach their full potential. Running is used to build confidence, motivate and teach lifelong fitness habits.