It was a normal day as junior Valerie Reina sat in her yearbook class. She heard a knock on the door and wondered who it could be.  It turns out, that it was the district communications director Rick Schaeffer wanting an interview from Reina concerning her recent winning of an award. 

She is the recipient of  the Gatorade Arkansas Girls Cross Country Runner of the Year.

This award doesn’t just recognize Reina’s achievements as a runner, but also her academic excellence and character.  These qualities are what distinguishes Reina from the rest.

“I try not to think about awards and winning too much,” said Reina, “but, yes, I am proud of myself.”

Reina is also now a finalist for the Gatorade National Girls Cross Country Runner of the Year award, which will be announced in late January.

Reina is the first Gatorade Arkansas Girls Cross Country Runner of the Year chosen from Har-Ber.  She plans to continue running throughout her last year of high school and wants to run in college.