For Addie Moore, 8th grade student at Woodford County Middle School (WCMS), running is much more than her favorite sport or preferred way to exercise. For Addie, running is a physical effort in which she is able to express herself — her passions, her goals, and her faith. Through running, Addie demonstrates the joy of her sport, the gratitude she feels for moving her body, and the bond she shares with her friends and teammates as they support one another. For Addie, running is not something she has to do but rather something she gets to do. Addie Moore portrays the mindset, determination, and humility of a true champion, and a true champion is what she is. Addie recently broke a state-wide record and achieved Kentucky’s fastest mile by an 8th grader at 5:01.23. When asked about this impressive accomplishment, she smiles and says, “It made me think, ‘Wow! I can do that?’ It just feels great and makes me really happy.”
Even at her young age, Addie shows great dedication and discipline in both running and in school. Hannah McIntosh, physical education teacher at WCMS, says, “I have had the privilege of teaching Addie for three years. I have witnessed firsthand that there isn't any area in Addie's life where she doesn't put forth 100% effort.” In running, this shows in the ways Addie pushes herself. She knows that some days she may not necessarily feel like running. On those days, she simply makes herself do it anyway because she knows that adhering to her training is what is best for her running. The dedication Addie displays is also her advice for someone who is just beginning their running career. She states, “You need to stick to it. If you want to keep excelling, you have to keep at it. If you don’t keep practicing at it, it’s hard to excel. Pushing yourself is a hard part of running.”
Additionally, Addie shows effort by properly fueling her body. She explains how her father has helped her to understand the way certain foods energize her. The right fuel helps sustain endurance runs, sprints, and the sport's other demands. Addie’s preparation, routines, and discipline carry her through each practice and race.
Although there may be days when Addie has to strive to simply get the run done, those days are few and far between because Addie genuinely loves running. She has a lot of fun when she runs, and she especially enjoys getting to do it with her friends on the team. Although running, from the outside looking in, appears to be an individualized sport, Addie describes it as the opposite. She says, “There are so many events occurring at a track meet. Every time I’m running around the track, I have a hurdler or a pole vaulter or someone else cheering for me.” Not only is the team support evident during competitions, but Addie says whenever she comes to practice, “You walk in, and you know you’re loved.”
The supportive, loving culture of the team that Addie describes is also something to which she contributes. Adam Swingle, social studies teacher and track coach at WCMS, says, “Addie is an incredible teammate. An athlete with her talent often comes with an ego, but she has zero ego. She desires to be the best she can be for the team. Her running abilities make her a natural leader, but she is approachable to all athletes, no matter their ability or level. Addie is always encouraging others and cheering them on.”
Addie is grateful for the opportunity to form positive relationships with her teammates and coaches. It is one of many reasons why running has a deeper meaning for her. Another reason is that she believes extracurricular activities give kids opportunities to find stability and success outside of the classroom. It is exciting to see students thrive in a variety of ways. Lastly, but most importantly for Addie, running gives her the outlet to display her faith by competing, practicing, and supporting her teammates, all for God. These motivations combine to make running a sincere passion for Addie. It is noted eloquently by Mrs. McIntosh, who says, “She is charismatic in social interactions and demonstrates pure grace and sportsmanship when competing. She is the definition of a true champion, and we are all extremely proud of her accomplishments.”
In addition to her achievement of the record-breaking mile, Addie has also seen immense success with the National Junior Olympics. Last year, she won the 3000m, 1500m and came in second in the 800m races in Humble, Texas, at the Junior Olympics. We are so grateful to have this talented yet humble, wonderful young woman in our district. Thank you, Addie, for the positive impact you have on your classmates, teammates, and teachers. You are, indeed, the humble champion.
