Change often brings excitement, yet for many people, especially children, unexpected shifts can rouse feelings of uncertainty. When GOTR alum Zola Barnwell’s family moved from Washington to Dubai — and later to Vietnam and Thailand — at age 8, she faced a world of new cultures, languages, and expectations. Each move meant starting over at different schools, making new friends, and adapting to unfamiliar environments. But fortunately for Zola, instead of viewing these changes as obstacles, she saw them as opportunities to grow thanks to the confidence, skills, and newfound love of movement she gained through the Girls on the Run afterschool program.
Zola, now back in Spokane, Washington, for college, is living proof that the lessons girls learn at GOTR equip them to thrive anywhere — even in parts of the world they never thought they’d be.
Keep reading to learn how one GOTR girl’s journey went global and how the program’s impact continues to shape her life today.
Zola embracing her love of running at the GOTR 5K.
Finding Her Spark in Spokane
Once Zola joined the Girls on the Run community, she quickly fell in love with the program’s lessons, structure, and the way it sparked joy among her team members. “I looked forward to practice every week,” Zola shared. “Not just for the running, but for the chance to be part of something empowering.” Her favorite memory from that first season came during the culminating 5K Celebration. “The excitement of running through the city streets, being cheered on by my community, and crossing the finish line in first place is a moment I’ll never forget,” the GOTR alum said. “I didn’t realize it at the time, but that 5K taught me just how much I’m truly capable of.”
Zola staying strong and nearing a 5K finish line.
In addition to inspiring a passion for running, Girls on the Run “taught me kindness and empathy,” Zola said. “I learned to encourage others, whether they were sprinting ahead or walking at their own pace. The program showed me the real meaning of kindness and how everyone’s journey is unique.” Those lessons, she added, “stuck with me ever since.”
It was the power of the lessons that helped Zola remain confident when her worldview suddenly shifted.
Embracing Inner Strength and The Joy of Movement During Uncertain Times
Just three weeks after she crossed the 5K finish line, Zola’s life changed dramatically when her parents — both international schoolteachers — moved the family to Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Shortly after that move, they relocated to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, and then to Bangkok, Thailand. Through it all, Zola held on to her love of movement and incorporated it into her lifestyle everywhere she lived. “Despite all the changes, running remained a constant in my life because of GOTR,” the GOTR alum said. “I ran competitively in track and cross-country, made it to the finals in the 400 and 800 meters at international tournaments, and even broke two school relay records by my senior year.”
Zola enjoying the great outdoors in Dubai during a run in middle school.
Living GOTR Lessons Across the Globe
As Zola adjusted to new countries and cultures, she often reflected on what she learned at GOTR. “The lessons I learned from Girls on the Run continued to resonate as I moved around the world,” she said. “I’ve seen firsthand how empowering it is to support others, especially girls and women. In a world where female empowerment is more important than ever, GOTR gave me the foundation to stand strong and confident.”
Zola in motion in mid-race during a track meet in middle school when she lived in Vietnam.
Even after years abroad, Zola still feels deeply connected to the town where it all started. “When someone asks where I’m from, my answer is always Spokane,” she said. “Some of my fondest childhood memories come from those early years, especially at Roosevelt Elementary, where Girls on the Run played such a pivotal role in shaping who I am.”
Zola moments after launching forward at a track meet in her senior year of high school.
Selected from a competitive pool of 160 students, Zola delivered a TEDxYouth talk within her school community at the age of 16. Her talk explored the intense pressures students face in defining their success, drawing from her personal experiences growing up in South East Asia. The message resonated deeply within her school community and extended to a global audience, garnering thousands of views on the official TED Talk channel. (Click the image to watch this TedxYouthTalk!)
Revisiting an Inspiring Impact That Lasts
When Zola returned to Spokane for college at Gonzaga University, it felt like life had brought her back to the starting line where her journey of strength began. In between attending classes and setting future goals, she frequently encounters reminders of the program’s lasting impact in her community. “At a service fair, I saw a booth for Girls on the Run and met Lindsay from GOTR Spokane County, who remembered me from over 10 years ago,” she recalled. “Later, I realized my spin instructor, Caroline — who I really look up to — was also a GOTR coordinator! These interactions were an incredible reminder of how far-reaching and impactful the program is.”
Zola today as she studies Business Administration and Management at Gonzaga University.
Running Toward What’s Next
Today, as Zola studies hard and builds her future, she still embraces the lessons of confidence and compassion she learned as a child at GOTR. “The empowerment I first felt at Girls on the Run continues to guide me,” she said. “At Gonzaga University, Zola utilizes her voice and passion to support organizations such as Gonzaga’s Women in Finance Lab and through visits to local schools to speak with young girls through Gonzaga Sports Consulting Group. As a member of these groups, Zola is reliable for entering every meeting, project, or event with kindness and empathy — two core values that have stuck with her since crossing the GOTR 5K finish line.
Zola at an elementary school talking to a group of girls about business and sports for women.
Her unique ability to uplift others and care for their needs has allowed her to connect with other inspiring women in these groups and help sustain initiatives that make a difference. And of course, when she’s not deep in a book or helping her women’s empowerment groups reach new heights, Zola is still running her heart out!
Zola’s full-circle story demonstrates how the lessons girls learn at Girls on the Run extend into adulthood and grow stronger with every new challenge and chapter. From Spokane to across the globe, this GOTR alum doesn’t just embody courage, kindness, and belonging; she spreads it throughout every community she joins.
