“Girls on the Run Cheer Zone” seeks cheering via video

Since 2015, Cincinnati State employees have gathered to form a “Girls on the Run Cheer Zone” to support girls in 3rd through 8th grades who are celebrating their strengths with a 5K run.

This year, the Girls on the Run Cheer Zone is going virtual.

To be part of the Cincinnati State Cheer Zone, you just need to create a short video message of encouragement that will be shared with the girls’ teams and posted on social media. (See more info below.)

Girls on the Run (GOTR) is a 10-week program that encourages girls to “recognize their individual strengths and celebrate connections with others” and inpires girls to be “joyful, healthy, and confident.”

This year, the 5K run that is the program’s culminating event will take place during the weekend of Nov. 13-15.

• Girls are encouraged to complete a 5K run “anywhere” while observing safety guidelines.
   
• Friends, family members, and anyone who wants to participate can join the celebration (by running, walking, or riding a bike) at no cost.
   
• According to GOTR, “the focus is not on speed or competition, but on having fun with fitness and encouraging others to do the same.”

To be part of the Cincinnati State Virtual Cheer Zone, please follow the guidelines below and submit your video by 5 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 9.

• Submit your finished video to this Dropbox link: https://www.dropbox.com/request/vIrUS9z7URpDRCWxO6K3 (You should be able to drag and drop your file into the Dropbox. Be sure to upload the full resolution version of the file.)
   
• For more information or to sign up to participate in the GOTR 5K Weekend, visit gotrcincinnati.org. or contact Meredith Effler (meredith.effler@cincinnatistate.edu).

Tips for Recording Your Video Message:

• TECHNOLOGY – Using a cell phone is fine, but be sure to shoot in “landscape” view– turn your phone so it’s horizontal. Shoot a practice take, to make sure we can see and hear you.
   
• LIGHTING – Make sure your primary lighting source is in front of you, to help everyone see your face. Natural light is best, so if you have a window, open the curtains! (But don’t put an open window behind you since it might be too bright.) A second light can be helpful, but isn’t necessary.
   
• SETTING – Take a minute to look at everything in your camera shot. You might want to remove things that are distracting or inappropriate. (We wouldn’t be warning you if we hadn’t spent the last several weeks in some “questionable” video sessions with students.)
   
• PROPS – Feel free to include your family members to help cheer, or make some signs with slogans like “be awesome,” “run fast,” or other encouraging words for the girls.
   
• ATTIRE – Wear comfortable clothing that does not advertise a product or another school. Getting decked out in CState gear is a fantastic choice!
   
• SCRIPT – It’s a good idea to run though what you’re going to say, but speak from the heart rather than reading a script. Talk to the camera like you’re talking to a friend. Smile, and introduce yourself by telling us what you do at Cincinnati State. Then give your words of support and encouragement. Remember that you’re talking to girls in 3rd through 8th grade who are about to run/walk 3.1 miles!

(Photo from https://www.gotrcincinnati.org)