We are thrilled to shine a spotlight on Zuhaa Quraishi, our July Volunteer of the Month. Zuhaa is a remarkable high school student who has made an extraordinary impact on the young women in her community. She has shown exceptional leadership skills through her role as a Junior Coach at North Royalton Middle School.
What makes her role even more special is that she coaches alongside her mom and coaches her younger sister, making it a true family affair.
“The person who has most inspired me in my life to be confident, kind, and strong would 100% be my mom,” says Zuhaa. “She has always been there for me and taught me how to talk to people, how to deal with certain situations, and overall, everything I know in my life, I owe it to her.”
Zuhaa demonstrates the kind of leadership and dedication that truly embodies what it means to be a mentor. She goes above and beyond to support her team and create a positive, inclusive space for every girl.
“Zuhaa has continued to show up for Girls on the Run with heart and dedication,” shares Kenzie Smith, Program Manager and leader of GOTRNEO’s Junior Coach Program. “We’re so excited she’ll be joining us again this fall to continue her journey as a Junior Coach. As an alumnus of the very team she now helps lead, Zuhaa brings a full-circle spirit to her role. I can’t wait to see how she continues to grow with our council and inspire the next generation of girls.”
Some fun facts about Zuhaa: Outside of the Girls on the Run, Zuhaa participates in Student Council and volunteers with Safety Town. Additionally, she is bilingual, speaking both English and Urdu.
When asked what inspired her to volunteer with Girls on the Run, Zuhaa explained that it was her own personal involvement in the program when she was younger. “It taught me so much about being confident, making friends, and connecting friends and running,” she shared.
As she enters her second season as a Junior Coach, we're excited to see how she'll continue to inspire confidence and resilience in the next generation of young women. Her dedication proves that age is no barrier to making a meaningful difference in others' lives.
To learn more about our Junior Coach Program, please visit: https://www.gotrnortheastohio.org/junior-coach