Volunteer Staff
Scott LaMothe, Executive Director
Scott has had the privilege of volunteering with Junior Milers since 2004, one year after the program’s inception. In the last 20 years, with the help of many volunteers, Scott has facilitated significant growth within the program, guiding hundreds of kids to the starting line. Scott graduated from the University of Vermont with a Sports Therapy concentration and created Healthtrek llc, a personal training and wellness management business. He uses industry knowledge as well as an ever evolving understanding of youth development to create a safe, effective, and inclusive training environment. Scott has a passion for outdoor activity and can be found hiking the mountains of New England most of the year and swimming in Lake Champlain in the summer. He has completed 12 marathons, one ultra 50 mile run, and numerous running events around the country, and is always looking for new areas to explore.
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Becca Sears, Director of Youth Programming
Becca began volunteer coaching with Junior Milers in 2021, shortly after she moved to Vermont. A lifelong athlete and believer in the power of movement, she jumped at the opportunity to share her passion with youth participants. Her interest in working with and advocating for kids began when she taught in an elementary school in France after college. She's since managed the youth education program at an educational farm, worked in grants management at the Boston Public Schools Department of Health and Wellness, and volunteered regularly with the Jimmy Fund in Boston. Becca has also participated in and volunteered with the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer several times, raising thousands of dollars through grassroots fundraising. Becca works remotely as an account manager for a Boston-based tech company. She enjoys skiing, strength training, mountain biking, and of course, running.
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Scott Woodnorth, Head Coach
Scott has been a volunteer coach with Junior Milers since 2019. Bringing energy and unlimited silly jokes to every practice, Scott draws upon his 14-year background in youth volunteering and nearly 20 years in running to educate kids and help them discover the joys and lessons which distance running provides. His running experience includes four years on a Division III Track and Cross Country team and six marathons. Outside of Junior Milers Scott can most often be found playing outside in the mountains or, if it is during business hours, as an Engineering Manager at a local tech company.
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Board of Directors
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Saja Almogalli
My name is Saja Almogalli. I am a witness for how good this running club is because I was in your place 5 years ago when I started running as a student, and now I am a coach. With hard work, dedication, and teamwork, you can get there too. Running has given me the discipline that has helped me succeed in many arras of my life. I just graduated from UVM, where I majored in Public Health/Biology. I was recently elected as the youngest Comissioner ever elected to the Burlington School Board. I also found time to intern and volunteer at UVM Hospital, where I worked with a Pediatric Eye Surgeon. I also had the honor to be chosen to speak at the United Nations about the experience of newly arrived refugees from war. I have only been in the United States for 6 years. So if I did it, so can all of you. I can confidently state that once you begin running, you will be a runner for life. It is healthy, stress relieving, and fun! I will continue running to keep in shape for the Vermont Police Academy, which I start in August. Keep running, and it will help you achieve your dreams.
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Tian Berry
Tian is a lifelong Burlingtonian and thrilled to be sharing her love of the Vermont outdoors with the Junior Milers team! She has been participating in the Vermont City Marathon for over 10 years through both five person relay teams and the half marathon. She ran with JYR throughout high school and has continued running on her own time.
Tian is now a social worker in Burlington and strongly believes in the power of community, particularly among young people. She is excited to bring her love of connection and fun to the Junior Milers board and to continue building connections and roots in her hometown.
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Suzanne Gruendling
Suzanne is an avid runner and has been coaching with Junior Milers for 10 years.
Suzanne's favorite distance is the marathon and she has completed 59 marathons across the United States. As a teacher and school administrator, Suzanne has a passion for student wellness and is dedicated to helping students reach their goals. Suzanne has volunteered with Kids on the Ball, the UVM Medical Center and was an active Therapy Dogs of Vermont team with her golden retriever Molly. Suzanne received the State of Vermont Governor's Service Award in 2016.
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Loretta Walters
Loretta has been actively involved with the Junior Milers program since 2014 and a
Vermont resident for over 25 years. She is a lifelong runner and enjoys a variety of other sports including tennis, skiing, pickleball, weight training, and hiking. Loretta is a retired business professional with experience as a CPA and Controller of The J. Paul Getty Trust. She is the devoted mother of two adult children and enjoys activities that focus on today’s youth. Loretta is a former board member of the Humane Society of Chittenden County and ImproveCare Now. In addition to coaching for Junior Milers, Loretta has also volunteered her time to Kids on the Ball, Make a Wish VT and The King Street Youth Center.
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Volunteer Coaches
