Most teachers take the summer off, but not Tasha Hurst, English teacher at Ocean Lakes High School. A member of the Virginia Beach J&A Racing PR Crew and an active participant in our local fitness community, Ms. Hurst continued to teach her students through the summer by encouraging them to embrace a healthy lifestyle.

“Ms. Hurst had asked some of her students if they were interested in going to a workout at 5:30 in the morning every day the following week for something called the November Project. One of my closest friends and I jumped at the opportunity solely because of how much we looked up to Ms. Hurst, and I am so glad that we did. It was so amazing to wake up early and be welcomed into a fun group of people and to have my teacher there cheering me on and pushing me to keep going,” said Peyton Hewlett, senior at Ocean Lakes High School.

Ms. Hurst’s relationship with her students continued to grow in the 2019/20 school year. During lunch breaks Peyton has made a habit of visiting Ms. Hurst’s classroom. It was during one of these lunch visits that Ms. Hurst inspired Peyton to run her first half marathon.

“Just three weeks ago I ran my first eight miles with Ms. Hurst and her training group, and it was amazing. I’m so grateful to have had a teacher who cares so much about my wellbeing and who pushes me to be the best version of myself,” said Peyton Hewlett.

“I wish someone would have given me the courage and confidence to explore fitness, especially running, earlier in my teenage years. I love inviting my students to run, workout with NP, and achieve goals they might never have tried!

Peyton will be running her first half marathon along with Ms. Hurst on March 17, 2019 at Anthem Shamrock Half Marathon during the Yuengling Shamrock Marathon Weekend.