Guest Blog: Halfway There

Annabelle

Hi, my name is Annabelle and I am in 10th grade at Fort Myers High School. I like to paint, draw and watch the stars. This is my first time participating in a Wellfit Girls program. Wellfit Girls has taught me to be more outgoing, support is the best motivation and you’re never alone in anything you do. My goal this year is to get in better shape and stay that way. My superpower is the ability to radiate my good energy and give it to people.

Allison

Hi, my name is Allison and I am in 10th grade at Barron Collier High School. My hobbies are playing music, reading, writing, and listening to music. This is my first time participating in the Wellfit Girls program and I have never done any program like this before. My goal for this year is to get more in shape and become more confident in myself. My superpower sit ha ti can bounce back from tough times. I want to be able to fly.

Ava

Hi, my name is Ava and I am in 11th grade at Pace Center for Girls. I enjoy listening to music and walking my dog. This is my first time participating in Wellfit Girls. Wellfit Girls has taught me that I can do anything I put my mind to. My goal for this year is to be fit and healthy. My superpower is the willingness to try new things.

Bella

Hi, my name is Bella and I am in 9th grade at Naples High School. My hobbies are hanging out with friends. I did the LIFT program in 2019. Wellfit Girls has taught me health and healthy habits for my mind and body. My goals for this year are to go on expedition. My superpower are leading and thinking.

Brianna

Hi, my name is Brianna and I am in 9th grade at Lely High School. My hobbies are music, painting, drawing and working out. This is my first time participating in a Wellfit Girls program. Wellfit Girls has taught me how to be myself and how to do better. My goal is to work harder on myself and do better. Also, to be happier. My superpower is flying.

Bryana

Hi, my name is Bryana and I am in 9th grade at Gulf Coast High School. I like to read, bake, knit, write and make Origami. This is my first time participating in the Wellfit Girls program. Wellfit Girls has taught me to never give up and to always be prepared to test my limits. My personal goal is to be able to walk before May! My superpower is that I can read minds at will.

CC

Hi, my name is CC and I am in 10th grade at Gulf Coast High School. My hobbies are to read, sing, play instruments, video games, writing, researching, and acting. This is my first time participating in Wellfit Girls. Wellfit Girls has taught me that groups are fun, and it takes teamwork to make it. My goal is to reach the summit and to gain confidence. My superpower is my intelligence and creativity. I’m also a vampire.

Dallise

Hi, my name is Dallise and I am in 11th grade at Pace Center for Girls. I like to read, write and exercise. I participated in the 2020 Summit Sisters program and this is my second time participating in Summit Sisters. Wellfit Girls has taught me that I am stronger than I believe. My goal for this year is to become financially secure and prioritize self-love. My superpower is my vulnerability and my depth of being able to understand people.

Francheska

Hi, my name is Francheska and I am in 10th grade at Fort Myers High School. My hobbies are band and writing. This is my first time participating in Wellfit Girls. Wellfit Girls has taught me work ethic, teamwork, responsibility and time management. My goal for this year is to be able to take responsibility for myself and be better with scheduling. My superpower is that I can always bounce back from everything.

Gioia

Hi, my name is Gioia and I am in 10th grade at Fort Myers High School. My hobbies are soccer, hanging with friends and baking. I participated in the Summit Sisters program last year and am doing it again this year. Wellfit Girls has taught me how to motivate myself and stand up for myself. My goals are to get healthier and be the best version of myself. My superpower is being able to bounce back easily after difficult situations.

Jada

Hi, my name is Jada and I am in 11th grade at Bonita Springs High School. My hobbies are volleyball, meditating and cosmetics. This is my first time participating in Wellfit Girls. Wellfit girls has taught me that I don’t need to worry about what everyone else thinks of me as long as I am happy with myself. My goal for this year is to gain more self-confidence. My superpower is my higher consciousness.

Faith

Hi, my name is Faith and I am in 9th grade at Barron Collier High School. I like to go to the beach and talk, hang with my friends all the time and go on bike rides. I have not participated in a Wellfit Girls program before. Wellfit Girls has taught me to try new things and be a leader. My goal for this year is to eat healthier and start working out every day. My superpower is cheering people up and being bold.

Ksenia

Hi, my name is Ksenia and I am in 9th grade at Naples High School. My hobbies are hanging out with friends and working out. This is my first time in Wellfit Girls. I have learned how to work together with others during this program. My goal for this year is to get more in shape. My superpower is laughing.

Madi

Hi, my name is Madi and I am in 9th grade at Seacrest Country Day School. My hobbies are playing sports, reading and writing. I participated in Wellfit Adventure Camp in 2019 and 2020 and also the LIFT program in 2019. Wellfit Girls has taught me to that it’s okay to open up and people are there for you. My goal this year is to learn to be patient and trust more. My superpower is my drive to get to where I want to be no matter how much work it takes.

Mercedes

Hi, my name is Mercedes and I am in 11th grade at Fort Myers High School. I like to paint, draw and go to the beach. This is my first time doing a Wellfit Girls program. Wellfit Girls has taught me how to be more myself and be proud of myself. My goal this year is to pass all my classes and become a better me. My superpower is being able to skate back from anything I go through.

Mia

Hi, my name is Mia and I am in 9th grade at Barron Collier High School. I like to bike, go to the beach and play volleyball. This is my first time participating in a Wellfit Girls program. Wellfit Girls has taught me to be kind, polite and respectful. My goal is to build my personality. My superpower is being social with other people.

Molly

Hi, my name is Molly and I am in 10th grade at Barron Collier High School. I like to play volleyball, play guitar, bike, swim and visit the beach with my friends. This is my first time doing a Wellfit Girls program. Wellfit Girls has taught me to push myself in every aspect of my life because I am stronger than I think I am. My goal for this year is to be able to complete a triathlon in May, become physically and mentally stronger and be present. My superpower is being able to deal with most situations that are thrown at me.

Piper

Hi, my name is Piper and I am in 10th grade at Pace Center for Girls. I like to draw, paint and do make up. This is my first time participating in a Wellfit Girls program. Wellfit Girls has taught me that it’s ok to be vulnerable. My goal for this year is to become healthier. My superpower is being able to sense how other people are feeling.

Rose

Hi, my name is Rose. I am in 11th grade and go to Seacrest Country Day School. My hobby is drawing. I have participated in Wellfit Adventure Camp 2019, Summit Sisters 2020 and went on an alumnae trip to Mims, Florida. My biggest take away is learning to be more outspoken. My goal is to get stronger mentally and physically. My superpower is understanding people and never giving up.

Sierra

Hi, my name is Sierra and I am in 9th grade at South Fort Myers High School. My hobbies are art and going to the beach. This is my first time participating in a Wellfit Girls program. Wellfit Girls has taught me to be more positive and gain more self-confidence. My goal for this year is to create long term goals for my life. My superpower is that I can become happy in a matter of a second.

Teagan

Hi, my name is Teagan and I am in 11th grade at Naples High School. My hobbies are track, art, hanging out with and having new adventures with new friends, basketball, canoeing, fishing and paddle boarding. I have participated in Wellfit Adventure Camp in 2019 and 2020 and then went on an alumnae canoeing trip to Mims, Florida. I have participated in Summit Sisters 2020 and am doing it for the second time this year. Wellfit Girls has taught me to be a leader. My goal this year is to make districts in track and hopefully further in hurdles. My superpower is nature adventurer and explorer.

Nicksie

Hi, my name is Nicksie and I am in 12th grade at Lorenzo Walker Technical High School and dual enrolling at Florida South Western State College. My hobby is being a wellness coach. I completed the 2020 Summit Sisters program and the 2020 Beyond the Summit alumnae program before mentoring this year for Summit Sisters 2021. Wellfit Girls has taught me as a leader it is important to know when to take lead and when to fall back and allow others to shine, while you do the background work. My goal is to become more confident in my voice. My superpower is laughter. I love to make people laugh. Even in the hardest of times, I always want to make the people around me are always in a state of laughter.

Sara

Hi, my name is Sara and I am in 12th grade at Naples High School. My hobbies are showing cattle. I have participated in Summit Sisters twice and now am a mentor. I also have participated in Beyond the Summit. So far, I have not only gained a lot more self-confidence, but I’ve also learned how to empower myself and others. My goal this year is to further develop my leadership skills. My superpower I would like to have is being invisible.

Sofia

Hi, my name is Sofia and I am in 12th grade at Fort Myers High School. My hobbies are reading, listening to music, dancing, playing golf, playing video games like animal crossing and running. This is my third year being involved with Wellfit Girls and mentoring the Summit Sisters program. Wellfit Girls has taught me to be more confident with myself and my abilities and to know that its okay to take a break. I suffered from a perfectionist mentality that as a whole made my physical and mentally suffer. I have learned to let things go while also coming out of my comfort zone, forming new relationships with girls in the program. My goal this year is to act as a mentor the other girls can look up to. The is my first time in a leadership role with Wellfit Girls. This allows me to have a different perspective and experience in the Summit Sisters program. I hope to continue to better my leadership skills. My superpower is motivation. The ability to inspire and motivate others by example is something I always strive for.

Vivian

Hi, my name is Vivian and I am in 10th grade at Lely High School. I enjoy riding horses. This is the first time participating in Wellfit Girls. Wellfit girls has taught me to be more open. My goal for this year is to be healthy and fit. My superpower is my determination.

Cosette

Hi, my name is Cosette and I am in 10th grade at Cape Coral High School. My hobbies are listening to music and arts and crafts. This is my first time participating in a Wellfit Girls program. Wellfit Girls has taught me to be confident and push myself to be better. My goal this year is to become stronger and more confident. My superpower is being optimistic and creative.

Stevie

Hi, my name is Stevie and I am a freshman at Florida Southwestern State College. My hobbies are yoga and work. I have participated in the Summit Sisters program in 2018 and 2020 and have mentored the Wellfit Adventure Camp in 2020 and now Summit Sisters in 2021. Wellfit Girls has taught me how to eat healthier, use my voice and gain confidence. My goal for this year is to learn more leadership skills. My superpower is teleportation.

Lila

Hi, my name is Lila and I am a mentor for the 2021 Summit Sisters program. I am a cosmetology student at FMTC. I enjoy hair, nails, making people smile, exercising and going to the beach. I participated in Summit Sisters in 2019 and was a mentor for the Summit Sisters 2020, Wellfit Adventure Camp 2019 and 2020 programs. Wellfit Girls has taught me to show up as my true self and that everyone has a unique style of showing up. The collaborative leadership skills that we learn year after year have helped me become a better leader myself and learn better teamwork strategies. My goal is to take action. As a facilitator in training, I will start trusting my instincts and stepping up my own personal leadership style. My superpower is making people super comfortable even when it’s uncomfortable.

Andrea

Hi, my name is Andrea and I have participated in Summit Sisters in 2018, 2019 and now in 2021. I have also participated in an alumnae trip to Baja, Mexico. I like to spend my time with friends. Wellfit Girls has taught me to be myself and trust myself. My goal about this year is to continue to learn and trust myself. My dream superpower is to fly.

Dallise

My name is Dallise and I’m a Sophomore at PACE Center for girls. I heard about this program from one of my counselors at school and it seemed interesting to try out something new. My hobbies already included exercising and doing yoga, but Wellfit Girls has helped me stay on a consistent and healthy routine. Wellfit Girls has taught me how to keep a positive mindset, be more determined and work on ways to achieve my goals. My biggest challenge at the moment is learning how to procrastinate less and figuring out what I truly want out of life. If I had one superpower; it would be to time travel

Lila (Mentor)

My name is Lila Kirkman, I currently am a Senior at Fort Myers High School , and the Wellfit Girls mentor for the Fort Myers group of 2020. Last year, as a junior, I participated in the 2019 Summit Sisters program that trekked to Machu Picchu , and then went on to mentor for the Wellfit Adventure Camp later that summer. I look forward to continuing my leadership in our Wellfit Girls community in the years to come while also pursuing my dreams as a cosmetologist. One reason I enjoy my role as a mentor is because I am able to provide help to not only the girls but my leaders as well.

Mary (Mentor)

Hi my name is Mary. I am a senior at estero high school. I was a wellfit girl for the 2019 season and this year I am a mentor. In the fall I will be attending Penn State University and majoring in genetics and bio behavioral health. I enjoy playing lacrosse, hanging out with friends, hiking, and exploring. My favorite parts about wellfit girls are the workouts and meeting new people. My biggest takeaway from last year was a boost in my self confidence and growth in my leadership skills.

Sinclair (Mentor)

Hi, my name is Sinclair. I’m a dual enrollment senior at FSW. I enjoy drawing, reading, making music, and playing video games. I came back to Wellfit Girls to help the girls currently in the program the way the program helped me. During Wellfit Girls I gained a lot of self-confidence. One goal I have for myself in the next year is to go away to college and work on my art more. My superpower is being able to make good observations in a group and create one on one connections.

Presley

hi i’m presley mcgirt. I am 15 years old and a sophomore at cypress lake high school. to keep active i like to participate on my varsity cheer team at school. a long with cheer i also enjoy dancing in and outside of school. My favorite style of dance is ballroom where I am second in the nation for smooth in my age division. in wellfit i have learned all sorts of new things about myself, while also training. And i may be a strong dancer but those workouts really kick my butt in a way it’s never been kicked before. I’ve had lots of fun so far get to reconnect and meet so new sisters for life.

Jenna

Hi my name is Jenna. I am 17 years old and go to Palmetto Ridge High School. My extra circulars include 4H and showing animals at the fair. In my free time I enjoy swimming at the beach and hanging out with friends. I heard about Wellfit through a family friend. The biggest challenge that I face right now is the Corona virus. My favorite workout to do is squatting. I like the program so far. It has allowed me to meet more people and build relationships that I wouldn’t have otherwise. From the program I want to grow stronger both mentally and physically.

Sara

My name is Sara, I am 17 years old and go to Naples High School. My favorite extracurricular that I do is showing cattle. My favorite hobby is hanging out with friends when I have time. I heard about Wellfit Girls through social media. So far I love the program. This is actually my second time doing it. We are starting to bo9nd more and more every session as a group. I feel I am getting a lot out of the program so far. I overall want to gain leadership skills and to become more confident from the program. My biggest challenge is getting back in shape right now but I do enjoy the workouts. Especially running!

Dezi

Hi my name Is Dezi, I am 17 years old and attend Mason Classical Academy. I am a part of NHS. My hobbies include eating, sleeping, playing video games, watching Youtube videos, reading, writing, and drawing. I heard about Wellfit through my mom. Her boss is a sponsor of Wellfit. So far, I like the program. It is pretty nice. I enjoy interacting with the other girls and leaders. I really enjoy the workouts too! I want to leave the program with some good friendships and new confidence in myself. I want to prove to myself that I too can do great things. My biggest challenge in life right now is school. My school is the best but also one of the toughest schools in the country. I often have a lot of work and sometimes I start to resent Wellfit for taking my time away from me. My favorite workout is running. My mom’s side of the family has a lot of talented runners. I am not as good as them but I do enjoy taking a lap around the field. I also enjoy the gym workouts because we can do more things with the equipment and we are closer together.

Rose

Hi my name is Rose! I am 16 years old and go to Seacrest County Day School. My extracurriculars include swimming, yoga, and this program. My hobbies include swimming, yoga, traveling, working out, hiking, drawing, and writing. I heard about the program through Mrs. Weir, a teacher at my school. So far, I like the program because it has made me more positive. From this program I want to build my leadership skills and become a more positive and powerful leader. Right now I cannot name my biggest challenge. I am doing well in the group. I am connecting with the other girls and mentors, and preparing for the trip in June. My favorite workout is doing yoga!

Nicksie

Hello my name is Nicksie. I am 16 years old and attend Lorenzo Walker Technical High school. In addition to being a good student I am the student government President, head student ambassador, head choreographer of the step/dance team, and a member of Champions for Learning. My hobbies include dancing, singing, and debating. I love to dance and sing. I’ve been dancing ever since I could walk. A fun fact about myself is I can do tricks such as the “death drop”. I dance anywhere. It doesn’t matter if I’m in the parking lot, 2 o’clock in the morning, or in the store. I also have a big heart for debating. I love making my point in proving my point. Advocacy is very important to me because not a lot of people especially children, have the confidence to voice their opinion. I believe that it is my obligation to make sure these children are being listened to. If they’re not speaking up, then I’ll speak for them. I heard about Wellfit from a friend who was in apart of the 2018-2019 program. So far, his program is very interesting. It truly is like no other. I’m starting to learn more about myself every week being a part of this program. Wellfit not only challenges me physically but also mentally and emotionally. I’m surprisingly more ok with being not ok. I recognize my flaws and now laugh at myself because my flaws are beautiful. Overall, Wellfit is a fight. A fight with your mind, body, and soul. But that’s what makes it worth it in the end because you were still alive. So yes, I am liking – loving this program so far. Overall, I want to be able to be more open with people from this program. I don’t trust people and want to learn how to be more trusting. My biggest challenge right now is trusting the group, which is the biggest component of this entire program. But I want to learn. I don’t have a problem listening to someone else’s truth but it is a whole different ball game when it comes to having others listen to my truth. My favorite workouts are leg workouts with Laura. She is honestly amazing. You can tell she loves what she does. She is almost like a mom not a trainer. She encourages and pushes you to do better. She’s a breath of fresh air and it makes me want to work out more.

Angie

Hello! My names Angie Morla and I am a freshman at Florida’s Gulf Coast University. I first learned about Wellfit Girls after completing a three week scholarship with Hurricane Island Outward Bound School. At the time I was 16 and could not participate because of the current times issues but I am proud to say I have been able to join this year! Wellfit is very understanding and has been very helpful in helping me find myself. We learn how to process life’s difficulties in many different ways and I am very excited to be apart of the team this year.

Teagan

Hi, I’m Teagan and I am 15 years old. I go to Naples High School and enjoy playing basketball, track and field and cross country running. My hobbies are drawing, working out, basketball, art, being outdoors, and running. I heard about Wellfit Girls at school and through my mom. My favorite parts of the Wellfit Girls program are the group meetings, the people and the workouts. I want to be more confident and outspoken and gain more friends. My biggest challenge is speaking and sharing with others. My favorite workout is anything that includes muscle building.

Carley

Hi, My name is Carley David. I am 17 years old and I go to Cypress Lake High School. Some of my hobbies are singing, drawing, working out, playing loud music, and eating. I play for my school’s softball team and was on a Weightlifting team. Outside of school I also play travel softball. I decided to join the Wellfit program after I found Wellfit through Brooke Spencer who explained to me how the Wellfit program can benefit me. I first joined because I wanted to go to Montana. However, I have come to understand that Wellfit teaches life lessons and I’ve become more open minded about my thoughts for the future. Wellfit has helped me set goals and I have learned to strive to do my best. The program also teaches me about being a leader. Wellfit also has workouts that helps me stay fit and healthy, which I enjoy very much. The exercise and workouts are challenging but fun.

Gioia

Hi, my name is Gioia and I am a pre-IB freshman at Fort Myers High School and I am 15 years old. I try my hardest in school to achieve straight A’s every quarter. In the beginning of the year I was apart of the cross country team and I really enjoyed it. Running is one of my favorite things to do and even though I don’t run for the school anymore I still make sure I am running a few miles everyday. I am also apart of the T.V production program at FMHS and I love to film and edit videos for our school and for myself. Besides school and running, I love to bake, and hang out with my amazing family and friends and go to wellfit! I heard about wellfit at one of my school’s open houses and immediately fell in love. At first I was just really excited that I would be able to climb a mountain but after looking into what the program had to offer I realized it was much more then climbing mountain. After being in the program for a few months it really helped me. I started coming out of my shell, not only in the group but with my family and friends as well. Being apart of wellfit girls taught me how to live my life to my fullest potential and gave me a safe place to talk about anything that is bringing me down from achieving my goals. Wellfit girls has definitely made such a positive impact on me and I am forever grateful I joined! 🙂

Yanni

Hello, my name is Yanni David. I go to Fort Myers High School and I’m currently in 10th grade. I like to be Involved in schools clubs. The clubs I joined in my school are Save What’s Left, Greenies Give Back, and Model United Nations. I also play softball and soccer in school, and outside of school I do travel softball. I was selected to be in Wellfit. Wellfit is a program to make you a stronger person and connect with the people who are in the program. Wellfit helps me set up goals and helps me to motivate myself. We do workouts once a week which are amazing. What I do for fun is bike, walk, run, and watch TV. It’s hard for me to find free time. I have a fear of high heights, like roller coasts and rooftops on tall buildings, and a fear of snakes. What I love to do is travel to different places. A place I dream about visiting and living in, is Hawaii.

Faith

Hi there! My name is Faith. I attend Fort Myers High School, I’m in my sophomore year, and I am 16 years old. I’m involved with the dance team at my school, which is partnered with the band. We perform half time at football games, and cheer on the football team in the stands. After football season is over, we have indoor dance season which consists of constantly learning new dances and perfecting them in order to get a Superior at the Florida Dance Districts Assessment, which leads to States! I enjoy working out in my free time, making jewelry, and organizing! I heard about WellFit Girls through one of my school administrators who nominated me for the program. WellFit girls has given me a positive mindset in which I use everyday to stay motivated, driven, and accomplish goals I set for myself. My biggest challenge used to be finding the motivation to do things. For example, if I am not in a group or partner workout, I will most likely not workout. However, since WellFit girls, I have changed that. Now I workout constantly. I am always looking up new workouts that involve certain muscles that I didn’t even know I had! Wellfit girls pushes me out of my comfort zone in order for me to succeed. I used to despise cardio workouts, however now whenever I run I have a reason. I want to be able to hike up the Montana mountains without the doubt that I won’t make it.

Sofia

Hello my name is Sofia Herrero and I’m currently a junior in the IB program at Fort Myers High School. My interests and activities I’m a part of vary greatly reflecting who I am as a person. I am a member of the Varsity Girls Golf Team and this past season had the honor of competing up to the state level placing 5th in the state with my team. When I’m not golfing either writing, playing music, or volunteering. The main organization I volunteer for is for the South West Florida Junior Cotillion as a director’s assistant teaching kids proper etiquette and ballroom dance. I also have a passion for the environment and have been competing in the science fair since the 6th grade. Last year my group project placed 3rd in the Environmental Science category and won the Regional Stockholm Junior Water prize. This is my second year being a part of Wellfit Girls and I’m overjoyed I get the opportunity to be apart of the organization for another year. Last year I was a part of the 2019 Wellfit Girls and during that time I was able to connect with people I never would have gotten the chance to otherwise and went on a life altering expedition to Peru. Being bilingual allowed me to form close connections to the people in Peru. My time last year gave me a second family and a support system I didn’t realize I was missing. Because of my amazing experience last year I’m back again ready to take on this new adventure and fly to new heights.

Andrea

Hi, my name is Andrea. I’m a freshman at Florida Gulf Coast University. I like to relax and hang out with friends. I came back because I felt a great amount of growth my first year of Wellfit, when given the chance to come back I jumped on it. In my first year of Wellfit my self confidence grew. My goal for the next year is to grow my confidence and to gain healthier habits. My superpower is that I’m willing to try new things.

Maria

Hi, my name is Maria. I’m a 9th grader at Golden Gate High School. One thing that surprised me is how open we are with each other in group. Something I’d like to get out of the program is leadership and confidence. A goal I would love to maintain is the confidence and leadership skills I will be obtaining this year, and I would love to keep being motivated. My superpower is naturally good at a lot of sports.

Sophie

Hi, my name is Sophie. I’m a 9th grader at Phoenix. I enjoy working out, reading, and makeup. One thing that surprised me was that you can accomplish a lot with confidence and leadership skills, my why for coming is to learn more skill power to help me get on a good path. I hope to gain more self-confidence and self-love. My superpower is listening.

Cassidy

Hi, my name is Cassidy. I’m an 11th grader at Seacrest Country Day School. I play tennis, golf, and basketball. I enjoy drawing, biking, and eating. I came back to Wellfit Girls is because I was so happy with what I had achieved last year and can’t wait for more. I came back with more confidence and being able to push myself more physically and mentally. My goal to get out of this years program is to not be afraid of the challenges that await me. My superpower is smiling excessively.

Stevie

Hi, my name is Stevie. I’m a 12th grader at Beacon High School. I love to read and do yoga. My reason for coming back to Wellfit Girls is to build my leadership skills and to make more connections with people. I got a lot of confidence out of Wellfit the first time, and now I can speak in front of groups of people. One goal I have is to graduate and begin college. My superpower is being able to see the good in any situation.

Zabrina | Fort Myers High School

My name is Zabrina Barbian. I’m 16 years old and I go to Fort Myers High School. School has always been my priority as I strive for success in the IB program and do clubs like Coexist, FCA, and Spanish National Honors Society. I love to play golf, I play for my school, and in my free time I find myself reading and writing. I heard about Wellfit Girls through a friend who did it last year. She seemed so excited about it and loved every bit of it that I decided that I would like to be a part of the program. So far, I love the program. In one short month I could already see a change in myself where I was going out of my comfort zone and pushing myself just a little bit more each day to be a better version of myself. By the end of the program, I want to be a more optimistic person and be able to find joy in each situation. I’ve always been very quiet and hope to overcome that so that I can express myself without fear of judgment. I have been encountering a few challenges so far. For one, managing my time has been very difficult where I’m juggling school, assignments, workouts, and even just a moment to take a breather. My favorite workout has to be squats. They’re simple but tough after doing a few and after I feel like I have made progress. Completing this program will be a great achievement for me and change my life.

Tyler | Fort Myers High School

Hey! My name is Tyler St. Onge. I am 17 years old and I am a senior at Fort Myes High School. I have been a servant leader in the Youth in Government for the past 6 years. This program has taught me to be a better public speaker and the importance of taking a stand for others. I have also been dancing for the past four years in ballet, jazz, and lyrical. I absolutely love to dance and it allows me to outward expression of emotions. I spend a lot of my time watching Netflix, playing my ukulele, longboarding, and traveling. I heard about the Wellfit Girls Program through an alumni, Carly McGovern, who showed me what amazing empowerment and things that it taught her to be. I look forward to being able to learn how to better myself and others and how to better represent and serve my community. I want to show myself that just because of my mental disabilities, I am still able to do amazing things. What I love in the program is the friendship and family that the program offers. When I started I didn’t know any of the other girls and now these girls are my sisters and we have an amazing bond because of this program. The most enjoyable parts of the workouts that we do are the yoga because it allows us to be active, get fit, learn to center ourselves and find inner peace and connection with ourselves and others.

Sofia | Fort Myers High School

Hello my name is Sofia and I am 15 years old. I attend Fort Myers High School and am enrolled full time in the IB program. I focus strongly on academics and push myself to excel at everything that I do. I’m an active member of the Academic Team and Model UN. I also am a member of the varsity girls golf team. I heard about Wellfit Girls from friends who had taken part in the program years prior. The program allows for connections to blossom between girls who would have never gotten the chance to meet each other otherwise. Together we push each other in our workouts and provide support when needed. The biggest challenge will be having the discipline to continue to get my body in shape in order to climb Machu Pichu.

Savannah | Fort Myers High School

Hi, my name is Savannah. I am sixteen years old and I attend Fort Myers High School. I am very involved in my advanced classes in order to maintain a good GPA. I am also very involved in my athletics. I play volleyball as well as participate in Aerial Arts. I have a passion for uplifting other girls and helping them gain confidence, which is the reason I created my business Stella Pink at the age of eight years old. Stella Pink helps girls find a place where they feel that they belong and that they are accepted. On my off time I enjoy hanging out with my friends and spending time with my family. I also like playing with my dog and watching Netflix. I heard about Wellfit Girls on my schools morning news and I was immediately interested. It has only been a couple months since this program began, but I already feel a positive change within myself. I can’t wait to see how much healthy growth I will develop throughout Wellfit Girls! My biggest challenge is gaining my own personal confidence, but I know that my confidence will grow as I surround myself with the other amazing girls that are in this program. My favorite workout has to be the squats because I always feel that I push myself the hardest when I do them!

Reyna | PACE Center for Girls

Hey, I’m Reyna and I’m 16 years old and I go to PACE. I work at Moes and some of my hobbies include playing softball. I heard about Wellfit Girls from Ms. Kirschner. I love Wellfit Girls so far! I want to become a more confident young lady. My biggest challenge is becoming comfortable with being uncomfortable. My favorite workout is when we do partner workouts.

Lizandra “Liz” | PACE Center for Girls

Hello, my name is Lizandra and I’m eighteen years old. I attend Pace Center For Girls. I am a phenomenal student and am in the progress of graduating early. I’m Vice President of Girls Leadership Council for my school. I am soon going to Tallahassee to talk to our state legislators and senators about why they should fund and support Pace. This time around will be my second time going! I love traveling, spending time with family and friends, reading poetry and when I have the time watch Netflix. I heard about Wellfit Girls from my friend Destiny Billman. She said, “it is an amazing program and I should do it!” So far I love this program. I look forward to it every week now. I hope I gain empowerment and self love and make a strong bond with the girls, get in shape and have an amazing and life changing experience in Peru. My greatest challenge will be balancing out everything in my life like keeping up with the workouts, fundraising, maintaining good grades, my part time, giving myself grace and taking care of myself. My favorite exercises are doing cardio like running! And doing some squats.

Lila | Fort Myers High School

Hello, my name is Lila. I attend Fort Myers High School right now as a junior and I’m seventeen years old. I wouldn’t call myself a “star student” but I try and am very involved in the school. I am the sports news anchor for my schools’ morning news, the announcer for the boys varsity basketball team, and I also play for the girls varsity lacrosse team. When I’m not working or training to climb a mountain, I like to eat all sorts of food, workout, and spend time with my super awesome friends and family. I heard about Wellfit Girls through this beautiful lady named Jamie Kirschner who is also involved in the program, and so far I’ve experienced true motivation and connection with my fellow Wellfit girls. We have leadership days where we focus on self/group empowerment and fitness days that kick our butts. I enjoy the weekly challenges physically and mentally and hope for constant growth through the next few months. My favorite workout while training for Peru is anything that doesn’t involve cardio (which isn’t a whole lot). I’d say my biggest challenge at the moment is finishing out the school year without my slight senioritis getting in the way of my grades. If i had to pick ONE superpower it would be to breathe underwater or to have a photographic memory.

Cyania “Ceci”

Hi my name is Cyania “Ceci” Telus. I go to Pace Center for Girls in Fort Myers. Some of my extracurriculars include cheering and bowling at my previous school. Some of my hobbies include singing, cooking and sleeping. I heard about Wellfit Girls from my staff members at Pace and I know girls that were apart of Wellfit Girls last year. So far the program is going great! I’m getting along well with the other Wellfit girls and the workouts kill me but it’s worth it and I really enjoy it. My goal is to be able to open up more and be less anti-social. Also I want to become a better me physically and spiritually.

Cassidy | Seacrest

I am Cassidy and I am a sophomore at Seacrest Country Day School. In school I work with the technology department by creating and editing the school year book. I am also a tennis champ. When I am older I want to work with charities and find a job working as a graphic designer. A fun fact is my real name is Mary, but I really appreciate my middle name because my little brother called me Didi.

Ashley | Fort Myers High School

Hi, my name is Ashley and I am a junior at Fort Myers High School. I participate in many clubs such as National Honor Society, National Art Honor Society, and Mu Aloha Theta. My favorite class in school is visual arts. Juggling the IB program at school, working after school and spending time with friends can be a struggle – but I enjoy staying busy. My favorite activities on a day off include stand up paddle boarding, painting, and hanging out at coffee shops. I heard about Wellfit Girls at my school and instantly knew that the program was a perfect challenge for me. I am enjoying getting to know the girls so far and benefiting from the motivation of working out together. My favorite workouts are squats and pushups. I hope to gain self-confidence through the program and a ton of fun memories with the girls!

Abigayle “AJ” | PACE Center for Girls

Hi my name is Abby Johnson but I like to be called AJ. I go to PACE Center for Girls. I love to spend time with friends, watch Netflix and be on my phone. I heard about this program from some girls at school and it made me want to join when I learned about. So far I love the program. I have had my ups and downs where I want to quit but I push through. What I want to get out of this program is more leadership, to trust more people and get in shape. My biggest challenge right now is running. I have always loved to run, but when I got older I stopped and now that I’m doing it again it’s hard on me.

Sinclair | Barron Collier

My name is Sinclair and I am a junior at Barron Collier High School. I am an artist and a musician. In school I am involved in the art club. My favorite type of art to create is water colors and charcoal. A fun fact about me is that I play the ukulele, bass guitar, violin, guitar, and the drums.

Mary | Estero High School

My name is Mary and I am a junior at Estero High School. At school, I am a varsity swimmer, varsity lacrosse player, varsity girls weightlifter, National Honor Society member, and junior class representative. I am also a Gulf Coast swim team club swimmer and Lee County elected student advisory board representative. My goal is to attend and swim at Penn State University. While there, I want to study genetics and immunology. I want to become a “doctor without borders” after I graduate. An interesting fact about me is that I have a twin brother, Sam.

Katie | Naples High School

My name is Katie and I am a sophomore at Naples High School. I play tennis and am involved in a teaching club, teens against human trafficking club and a study abroad club. I have absolutely no idea what I want to do with my future yet, but I am thinking about becoming a high school teacher. A fun fact about me is that I am a very skilled baker.

Gesa | Gulf Coast High School

My name is Gesa and I am a sophomore at Gulf Coast High School. My favorite classes are hope, ceramics, and engineering. My dream job is one that will provide me with financial stability. A fun fact about me is that I have been skydiving and I love snakes!

Faith | Home School

Bio Coming Soon!

Caroline | Naples High School

Bio Coming Soon!

Bella | Barron Collier High School

My name is Bella. I attend Barron Collier High School and I am in the 11th grade. I am in the school band and am a member of flag line. When I am older I want to be a psychologist. A fun fact about me is that I am bilingual and fluently speak both English and Spanish.

Asheley | Lorenzo Walker

My name is Asheley and I am junior at Lorenzo Walker Technical High School. I am currently involved in the NAACP ACT-SO program, a yearlong enrichment program designed to encourage high academic and cultural achievement among underserved minority high school students. I am on the debate team and a co-founder of Nagen Vegan Bakery, which won the FGCU Business Challenge. I also won the 2019 Scholastic News Gold Key for my poetry. In the future I would like to be a Chief Executive of a biomedical engineering company.

Carly | FMHS

My name is Carly, I live with my mom, dad, and our sweet dog Frankie. I attend Fort Myers High School where I am involved in multiple school clubs such as Coexist Club and Model UN. I originally heard about Wellfit Girls on my school’s news, and eventually decided that I should take a shot at applying. So, in the midst of Hurricane Irma – I sent in an application! So far, I have really enjoyed Wellfit Girls and all the new life style skills we are learning. Another big part of the program for me are the relationships we are forging through this crazy adventure. Throughout this program, I hope that we all can pick up on these skills and use them in our everyday lives now and into the future. My greatest challenge will for sure be making a conscious effort to take the lessons we learn in our meetings and apply them. I love to be outside and I also figure skate! Travel wise, I don’t think I could just pick one place – I would love to see the world!

LeAnn | PACE Lee

“Bio Coming Soon!”

Elaine | PACE Lee

“Bio Coming Soon!”

Dasia | PACE Lee

“Bio Coming Soon!”

Alexa | LORENZO WALKER

“Bio Coming Soon!”

Stevie | NAPLES HIGH

My name is Stevie, I go to Napes High School, and I live with my aunt and my cousin Jayden. I enjoy swimming, spending time with my family and I love animals; especially dogs. What brought me to Wellfit Girls was that the overall program seemed so amazing – and it is! I love the program so far. It is so fun and everyone is so kind and fun to be around. I hope to gain leadership skills, become more fit and gain confidence. I have to challenge myself when I get tired or want to give up, but I am willing to face that! I run track, but I enjoy working out in the gym on the machines. If I could go anywhere, it would definitely have to be Italy because my family is Italian, and I think the history and culture there is beautiful.

Sara |NAPLES HIGH

My name is Sara and I am a freshman at Naples High School. My younger sister and I were born in Iowa and now live here in Naples. In my free time, I enjoy showing Cattle. I applied for Wellfit Girls because I wanted to find a group of girls that were willing to make new friendships. In addition, I wanted to benefit from the program by gaining confidence and becoming less shy. So far, I am feeling like we are all getting to know each other much better and we are opening up more in group discussions. I hope to gain more confidence in myself and become better at public speaking, or just speaking to new people in general. I think my greatest challenge will be getting out of my comfort zone. My favourite form of exercise is cardio – primarily running. If I could live anywhere I would live in a small rural town on a property with lots of acreage.

Morgan | FMHS

My name is Morgan and I am a senior at Fort Myers High School. I come from a split home, and I have an older brother and a younger sister. My friend did this program last year and she told me how amazing it was. I love how the Wellfit Girls program has made me feel. I feel more confident and empowered from before it started, and I hope to gain a better understanding of what it means to be healthy. My greatest challenge over the next five months is definitely going to be changing my diet. I need to start making time in the day to make healthy snacks and meals. My favorite form of exercise is core building. If I could live anywhere, I would live in the Grand Tetons because I love the mountains – they’re beautiful!

Maria |FMHS

My name is Maria. I attend Fort Myers High School, am the youngest of three, am in IB and I like to dance and try new things. I heard about Wellfit Girls through an Alum and was really intrigued – so I looked into it further and applied. So far, I really love the program. It is so much fun and I am building friendships that I originally wouldn’t have. I am also really enjoying the support that is growing from the program. This opportunity is helping me to grow into the person I have always wanted to be, and I am having fun doing it. I see staying motivated through tough times being my greatest challenge, but I know I can overcome that. My favorite form of exercise is running, and if I could live anywhere… hmm, that’s hard. I think Spain would be cool.

Madison | FMHS

My name is Madison and I am eighteen years old. I am a senior at Fort Myers High School. I moved to Fort Myers four years ago from my hometown of Cincinnati, Ohio and I have loved my new home since. I choose the hot summers of Florida over the freezing snows of Ohio winters any day. Despite the distance, I am still very close to my family in Ohio. My mother works for Delta Air Lines, so I am lucky enough to fly home and visit them often – especially during the holidays! For fun, I enjoy playing golf, taking weened trips to Disney, going for a run after school, and having Lord of the Rings movie marathons with my friends. I first heard about the Wellfit program when I was volunteering at the freshman orientation at the beginning of this year. A announcement was made over the intercom that described the program and invited any interested girls to attend the informational meeting they were holding. The idea of the opportunity to travel to Peru and scale mountains was so exciting that I grabbed a couple of my friends and dragged them to the meeting. The passion the coaches showed was inspiring and I knew that I had to be involved. This journey so far has opened my eyes and taught me a lot about myself. Before the program, I was never the biggest fan of running, especially after a long grueling day of school, but the program has introduced me to the accomplished feeling that comes with taking the initiative to work out and improve myself. Now, I can’t imagine what my life would be like without the support of my Wellfit family. By the end of the program I will have cultivated a close group of friends that I can rely on in the future. I also hope to improve my habits of diet and exercise so that I can live a more well-rounded and healthy life. I would like the program to teach me how to take control of my health so that I can live life on my own terms. My biggest challenge over the next five months will be fundraising money for Peru’s Challenge. I have always be very independent, and the idea of asking others for money is not the most comfortable thing for me. However, Wellfit has encouraged me to get comfortable with being uncomfortable, and I think this experience will benefit me in the future. My favorite form of exercise has to be running. Though it is not always the easiest workout to complete, I can’t help by love seeing my progress. Pushing myself to the next level during a run allows me to approach my life with more confidence. It means so much to me to prove to myself that I am able to take the initiative and commit to being a healthier person. If I could live anywhere, I would live on the islands of Turks and Caicos. Lying on the beach has always been one of my favorite things to do because the sound of the ocean takes away all of my cares. The beautiful beaches of the islands would be the perfect place for me to tan, relax, and have fun.

Lauren | GULF COAST HIGH SCHOOL

My name is Lauren, I attend Gulf Coast High School, and I love my dog and experiencing life in different ways. I found Wellfit through a random happy accident, but it really stood out to me that this program was going to help me gain confidence in myself and in my body. I love this program so much. I really love how supportive everyone is. I hope to gain leadership skills and confidence throughout the duration of this program. My favourite form of exercise is doing aerial yoga, and my biggest challenge is Cardio. If I could go anywhere, it would be New York City.

Karla | FMHS

My name is Karla, I am 16 and a dancer at Fort Myers High School. I come from a small family, it’s just me and my parents, but it’s really cool because my mom is from Peru and my dad is from Turkey. They are the greatest people I know, and I love being with them. I have been a dancer for 13 years, and it is my favorite form of exercise. I am really committed to my School’s IB program and have started my own club, so my peers can mentor and tutor students at elementary schools. I fell in love with both the leadership and fitness aspect of Wellfit. I have always wanted to be someone who exercises regularly, and it is something that I hope to take with me from the program long after it is over. I also wanted to have a really strong group of friends – and I’ve found that here! It is one of the main things that brought me to Wellfit Girls. I’m also excited to go to Peru, where my mother was born. I love Wellfit Girls so far. Seeing my progress as I work out is awesome, and I love our meetings. We have created a really healthy and positive atmosphere in our meetings. We can trust one another and we all have each other’s backs. I see running being my biggest challenge. I have always had a hard time running, but it motivates me to work harder. I would love to live in California where they have so many differences in the nature of the state; the forests, the mountains, the deserts, and the cities!

Jordan | FMHS

My name is Jordan, I attend Fort Myers High, and I moved to Florida when I was five from Brooklyn, NY. My mom is from the Bahamas, and my dad is from Guyana. I love reading books, listening to music, and spending quality time with people. I was very interested in the Wellfit Girls program in the sense that it would give me another opportunity to challenge myself in a different way. I most definitely was drawn in by the fitness aspect of the program, and it is something I want to continue long after. As the weeks go on, I appreciate the program more and more. Whenever the girls and I open up to each other and encourage each other it makes me so appreciative to be a part of this. I also love that one person can inspire me to keep going or that I am able to inspire someone else, which creates a chain reaction of positivity. When I am done with this program, I hope to value my health a lot more and hopefully push myself harder throughout the years. I also want to maintain the relationships I form with the other girls, and serve as a role model for the younger ones! My biggest challenge throughout Wellfit Girls has been the running. It plays a huge role in the program, but I have never done it before, so when it comes to things like breath control I struggle with it. I hope to improve in the coming months for the trek! I love squats and core workouts because of the burn – and I wouldn’t mind getting abs! I would absolutely love to live in Santorini, Greece. It is my top destination EVER! If I could live in a luxurious home in those blue skies – I’d be in heaven.

Jessica | NAPLES HIGH SCHOOL

My name is Jessica and I attend Naples High School. I have a huge family that is scattered around the United States, but we always manage to visit each other once in a while. I enjoy spending quality time with my parents and older sister more than anything else. I have a truly loving and extremely supportive family that I would not trade for anything in the world. I found Wellfit Girls while my friend, and Wellfit Alum, Bella was in the program. I watched her become a more confident person. She gained leadership skills and became more comfortable with public speaking. It changed her for the better, and I knew that doing the program would help me gain those skills as well. So far, the program has been challenging, yet very satisfying. I am in love with the results of every meeting whether it is self-improvement or strengthening, and the connection that I am forming with the other girls and my leaders. What I hope to get out of the program is a new sense of self-esteem within myself and long-lasting relationships with the girls and our leaders. The biggest challenge I see within the next five months is putting in the work on the workouts to being able to climb the mountain. I am driven by this extraordinary adventure and the challenge that I won’t soon forget. My favorite form of exercise is squats, simply because I feel very strong walking afterwards. If I could live anywhere in the world it would undoubtedly be Italy. To see the art within the buildings and culture would be amazing.

Elena | BARRON COLLIER

My name is Elena, I go to Barron Collier High School, and I am on the dance team. I have been dancing since I was four years old and I really enjoy it. My mom had heard about Wellfit Girls through another parent and it really interested me. It has been amazing so far. I enjoy the yoga classes and the group lessons we do every week. I hope to be a leader in the community and I believe that Wellfit Girls can help me with that! My greatest challenge over the next five months will be keeping up with all the workouts we do. My favourite exercise is to run short distances. If I could live or go anywhere I think I would like to go to England because it seems like a really cool place to be and it would be another country to visit.

Brooke | CSN

My name is Brooke and I attend the Community School of Naples. I am the second oldest of four children. Tennis is my favorite sport and I love to volunteer with kids. I had a couple of friends who did Wellfit Girls previously and I was truly inspired by the program and the progress they made leading up to the expedition in Peru. I hope to gain more strength like they did, make friends, and learn how to properly handle my emotions. I am really enjoying the program so far. I am pushing myself and trying to get the most out of every session we have. I think my greatest challenge is going to be running and opening up to the rest of the group. I am not entirely sure where I would want to live, but probably somewhere in the South.

Bianca | PACE Lee

My name is Bianca, I’m fifteen and a sophomore at PACE Lee County. I am really goofy and I love to make people laugh. I want to get fit, and Wellfit provides a really good opportunity for me to do so, and opened the door for me to help another country in need. I love being here so far; the girls are motivating and kind and that is all I need in a program. But the exercises definitely help. I really hope to up my fitness levels and make really good connections with the other girls that will allow us to communicate in the future. My favorite form of exercises are doing squats and lunges. If I could go anywhere, I would love to visit Africa. I could help others there like how we are going to help in Peru.

Avery | NAPLES HIGH

My name is Avery and I go to Naples High School. I live with my mom, dad, and younger brother and sister. My hobbies are playing soccer, drawing and painting. My mom told me about the program and I thought it sounded interesting. So far, I can already tell that this is going to be a good experience for me. The girls are super nice. I hope to learn leadership skills, gain confidence, and form friendships with the other girls. I want to get healthier, get in shape, and make an impact in Peru. My greatest challenge will be stepping out of my comfort zone when it comes to speaking and exercising. If I could live anywhere, I would love to live somewhere like California or New York.

Andrea | PALMETTO RIDGE

My name is Andrea. I am a senior at Palmetto Ridge high school and I live with my brother, mom and dad. I enjoy being with friends. My mentor brought me to Wellfit Girls, because she thought it would be a good opportunity for me to grow and make new friends. I am really liking the Wellfit Girls program and the other girls I have meet so far. I hope to build my confidence in the program. I think my biggest challenge will be the fitness since I have had a sports injury before. I love doing leg workouts as much as they may hurt the next day I love them. If I could live anywhere I would live right outside of a big city because I would have my own space but still be close to big things and opportunities around me.

AJ | CSN

My name is AJ and I go to the Community School of Naples. I am in the eleventh grade, and I play tennis! I am the oldest of three girls and I enjoy hanging out with friends and family. I decided to apply to Wellfit Girls to gain self-confidence, learn leadership skills, meet new people, and do something new. So far, the program has been really uplifting and the group meetings have been really helpful. I really like it so far! I hope to gain confidence, friendships, and be able to stand up for myself and voice my opinion. Over the next five months, I see my biggest challenge being traveling out of the country because I have never done it before. My favorite form of exercise is playing tennis and working out at Orange Theory. If I could live anywhere it would be New York City because I love big cities.

Abby | CSN

My name is Abby, I go to the Community School of Naples, and I am on the soccer team. I have a younger sister and a younger brother. I decided to join Wellfit Girls because I wanted to meet new people and try something completely different from what I have done before. So far, I think the program is going really well and the girls are so nice. I am really happy that I joined. I hope to gain new and long-lasting friendships and more self-confidence. Over the next five months, my biggest challenge will be getting out of my comfort zone and to try new things. If I could live anywhere, I would live in either California or Italy!

Alize | PACE Lee

Paige | Florida Gulf Coast University

Gina | Barron Collier

Rachel | Barron Collier

Ashley | Barron Collier

Sofia | Florida Gulf Coast University

Litzy | South Fort Myers

Bella | Naples High School

Jackie | South Fort Myers

Katie | St. John Neumann

Emma | Barron Collier

Isabel | Estero High School

Zya | Gulf Coast

Stephanie | Naples High

Sima | FMHS

Shelly | Seacrest

Payton | CSN

Olivia | Seacrest

Myah | PACE Lee

Mara | Island Coast

Lilly | Barron Collier

Lily | FMHS

Brittney | FMHS

Lena | FMHS

Kit | FMHS

Jerrica | FMHS

Helena | Barron Collier

Destiny | PACE Lee

Charisma | PACE Lee

Bella | Naples High School

Avorie | Lely High School

Alexis | Palmetto Ridge

Amber | FMHS

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