Meet Team Denson/Williams

Asia Denson, mentor from Detroit and Amber Williams, mentee from Detroit

Asia is a graduate student in construction engineering management and technology. She is a facilities engineer intern at Blue Cross Blue Shield, a percussion instructor at the Detroit Academy of Arts and Science High School, and is involved with Upward Bound. She enjoys sports, getting in shape and browsing the Internet. Her interests include real estate, renovations and anything related to technology or construction. Asia and Amber have been matched through Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Detroit since October 2007. Together they enjoy going to the movies and sporting events, skating and going out to dinner. Amber will be in ninth grade this fall at Southeastern High school. She enjoys doing hair and is interested in basketball and computers. Asia admires that Amber has set goals for herself. Amber says she wants to be as successful as Asia and attend college like she did. They look forward to becoming healthier as a team.

Meet Team Bilyeu/Gohl

Dan Bilyeu, mentor from Alpena, and Colin Gohl, mentee from Alpena

Dan is on Active Duty in the Michigan Air National Guard stationed at the Alpena CRTC where he works as a budget analyst. He will retire this August with more than 22 years of active service and 29 years of total military service. Dan has associate degrees in accounting, financial management and general studies. In addition to mentoring Colin, Dan is an adoptive father and licensed foster care provider. He enjoys running, working out, rock landscaping and volunteering. Dan and Colin have been matched for more than seven years and enjoy going to the movies, playing Frisbee and games, spending time in the woods scouting for deer, and going out to eat. Colin will be in eighth grade this fall with the goal of attending Princeton to study nuclear medicine after graduating high school. He is active in his church youth group, and God is an important part of his life. Colin is involved with the Boys & Girls Club of Alpena and enjoys hanging out with friends, traveling, skateboarding, playing X-box, creating graphic designs, sleeping and swimming. Colin also enjoys making “survivor” movies with Dan and going deer hunting. One of Dan’s favorite memories is when Colin nominated him for Big Brother of the Year by writing a letter of recommendation that touched Dan’s heart. Dan considers Colin as part of his family and says that Colin has a lot of potential. Colin thinks Dan is a great role model and says, “He spends time with me and does things I would do if I had a dad in my life.” Both Dan and Colin look forward to the challenge of training and encouraging each other to achieve this goal.

Meet Team Wilbrink/Haller

Gerard Wilbrink, mentor from Williamston and Devon Haller, mentee from Williamston

Gerard is a retired welder and fabricator, and is now developing a handyman business. Gerard is also an assistant track coach at Williamston Middle School and will work with the cross country team in the fall. He loves the outdoors including camping, bike riding and yard work. Gerard and Devon have been matched since December 2007 through Big Brothers Big Sisters. Devon will be in seventh grade at Williamston Middle School this fall. He enjoys playing video games, biking, swimming, running and working out. His favorite memory with Gerard is the first time they went to Lake Michigan. Devon and Gerard like to run, fish, swim, go to movies, camp, run on the sand dunes, and bike. Devon admires Gerard for encouraging him and for being funny. Gerard is looking forward to seeing Devon improve his confidence through training for the 5K as he gets stronger and faster. He appreciates Devon’s compassion for others and great sense of humor.

Meet your Program Coordinator Sarah Siewert

Sarah recently graduated from Michigan State University where she studied communication and public relations. She started as an intern with the Governor’s Council in January 2007 and is now employed full-time. Sarah enjoys playing tennis, weight lifting, running, and spending time with friends and family. She is currently training for her second 5K race which takes place in September. If you have any questions about the program logistics or plans, leave a comment here and she will post a response. Sarah can also be reached at ssiewert@michiganfitness.org or 800-434-8642.

Meet your Nutrition Specialist Dr. Anne Murphy

Anne Murphy was first a Kindergarten teacher and then switched careers because of her interest in nutrition. After finishing her PhD at MSU, she was on the faculty at U of M for eight years (teaching nutrition classes in the nursing major.) Now she works as a consultant--developing nutrition education materials, writing grants and evaluating benefits of nutrition and physical activity programs such as this one! If you have a question about nutrition, please comment here and Anne will post a response. Anne can also be reached at amurphy@charter.net.

Meet your "Virtual Coach" Steve Santer

Steve is a veteran runner and triathlete. He is also the coach of Team Playmakers, a local team that helps runners and walkers properly train for and achieve their goals. Steve is available to help with any questions about training for the 5K race! Simply post your question as a comment and he will respond as soon as possible. Visit www.playmakers.com for more information about Playmakers and running.

Success Story from 2007

Participating in Mentoring: A Running Start in 2007 was life-changing for both mentor Laura Hahnfeld, and mentee Tiffany Jordan. The experience was said to be the most trying and exciting time in their years together as a mentor match through Faith in Youth Partnership. There were many days they doubted that they would make it across the finish line. But, they both learned in tangible ways what it looks like to never give up and to depend on each other for strength to push toward the seemingly impossible. “I watched an amazing transformation in Tiffany” says Laura, “I didn’t think she’d ever run a mile straight before we started and now she’s participating in sports at school and exercising in her free time.” Tiffany began to glow and it was obvious that she was feeling confident in herself and was learning that she is capable of doing more than she had ever imagined. “I showed myself that when I really try and put my mind to something I can do it and as long as I have people by my side supporting me, I can do anything,” says Tiffany. “This experience has affected my life in huge ways and I will never forget what it felt like to finally run the [Mackinac] Bridge!”

Laura and Tiffany are pictured above.

Congratulations!

Congratulations on your acceptance to the Mentoring: A Running Start program! Our 2007 teams had great success and we can't wait to get started this year.