Alyssa D’ErcoleDo you take part in many community races? I take part in races with the CLCF [Cranston League Cranston Future] travel team and I hope to run more road races in the future. I took part in the Race Against Racism because I just love running, it is for a good cause, it’s fun and I ran this race because it is my mom’s hometown. What is it like running a race with your mom? I like to run races with my mom because I really enjoy it and it is something that we can do together. Tell me about yourself? I am 11 years old. I am in 6th grade, and go to Glen Hills Elementary School. I run track and cross country for fun. I like riding my bike. I also love to draw, paint, make crafts or anything that has to do with art. How did you become interested in sports/physical activity? I became interested in sports when I joined CLCF track at the age of 8 years old. I really enjoy running and still run track and cross country today. What do you like about sports? What are the challenges? I like running because I think it is a lot of fun. It makes me feel good and I enjoy the competition. I set goals for myself and try to do better everyday. The challenges that I face are personal ones. I try to beat my time and improve with every practice and at every meet. How do your friends and peers feel about sports/physical activity? Most of my friends and peers are involved in some kind of sport. They seem to enjoy the sport that they have chosen to do. Who gives you encouragement? My mom is the one who gives me the most encouragement and my dad. Also my coaches and teammates all encourage me to do better and we all encourage each other. Is there anything else that you would like to share? I would recommend girls my age to try different sports, like running and stick with what you love. It will help you stay fit and make you feel good about yourself. |
Julie D’ErcoleWhat is it like running a race with your daughter? The first road race that I ran with my daughter was this past spring 2012 in Cranston. She is a great runner, much better than I was at her age and I am so proud to be able to run races with her. Alyssa loves races and I support her and encourage her and it is a fun sport that we can both enjoy together. Why did you participate in the Race Against Racism? Alyssa and I have not participated in many races in the community, but we do plan to run more races together. We participated in the Race Against Racism, because it was for a great cause and Woonsocket is my hometown. My father [Robert Reith] used to run the race at Autumnfest years ago when I was a child and I was so glad that they brought it back this year. It was a great honor for me to be a part of this race. Actually the route went right by my parents house [on Summer Street] – so we had our very own cheering section. What I do for fun? My life involves my husband and [three] kids . . . we are an active family. Were you involved in sports growing up? Growing up, I was very active. I used to run with my father just for fun. Then while I was at Woonsocket High School, I was part of the Cross Country Team. I have been running on and off since. But with a family it is hard to stay faithful to it. When I see my daughter running, it encourages me to get out there again. Do you think it is important for girls to be physically active? I think it is very important for girls to be physically active. Running and sports in general is not only great for health benefits, but it helped me a lot when I was a teenager. Adolescence is one of the toughest stages through life. There is a lot of peer pressure and stress on our kids. It is the time where you truly find yourself and what kind of person you want to be. When I was a teenager, everything was an emotional roller coaster. So when I was feeling down, I would put on my sneakers and just run my heart out. It cleared my head, made me feel better, physically, mentally and is overall a great stress reducer. How have you encouraged your daughter to be involved in sports/physical activity? In our hometown, we have CLCF which offers all sorts of sports programs. When my kids were old enough to participate, we enrolled them into a sport of their choice to try it out and see if they liked it. Alyssa has tried soccer, dance, ice skating and then track and cross country and we stopped there because she has found her love for running and I totally support and encourage it. The CLCF program is run by parents and volunteers all which are dedicated and go above and beyond for the kids. I support my daughter by going to every practice, meet and will travel for away meets. I help out with the team whenever I can. I think it is important for parents to be involved. I know I am an influence in my daughter life by supporting and encouraging her anyway I can. Whether we realize it or not, they look up to us and want us to be proud of them. That pushes them to be the best that they can be. |
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Alyssa D’Ercole finished first in under 18 division – 2nd Race Against Racism at Autumnfest. interview by Lisa Piscatelli |
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