Former WJ Counselor Sophia Franklin on ‘The Biggest Loser’

Katie Levingston, Online Editor-in-Chief • October 19, 2010

*UPDATE: On Tuesday, Oct. 12, Sophia Franklin was voted off “The Biggest Loser” after losing only two pounds in a week. She lost a total of 47 pounds.

For more, click here.

WJ counselor Sophia Franklin, who is currently on leave, made an emotional debut on Tuesday night’s two-hour premiere of “The Biggest Loser.” Weighing in at 272 pounds, Franklin tearfully admitted that she neglected her weight after her brother died in a car accident last year.

Story continues below advertisement

Franklin was selected as one of three finalists from a pool of contestants in Detroit, Mich. for a slot on the show’s tenth season. Franklin won her first challenge with her determination and pacing in the 500 step-up workout. That effort guaranteed her a place on the show’s ranch, where contestants will endure grueling workouts to reach a healthy weight.

Franklin took a one-year leave of absence from WJ to compete on “The Biggest Loser.” In addition to working as a counselor, Franklin was also WJ’s varsity cheerleading coach. She is currently the JV coach for Clarksburg High School’s cheer squad.

“I thought it was great for her to go on ‘The Biggest Loser,'” said senior cheerleader AnneMarie Fisher. “She was so excited and I think it is a great experience.”

Her former colleagues admire her confidence.

“I’m proud of her,” said academic support center teacher Diane Chace. “I thought she did great. I think it takes a lot of guts to get up on a scale in front of everyone.”

Counselor Erika Murray has seen Franklin’s determination first hand from being colleagues with her.

“I think it’s great that she’s doing it,” said Murray. “I know, just from working with her, it’s something that she’s really wanted and worked for and I hope it works out for her.”

Tune in to NBC next Tuesday at 8 p.m.to watch Franklin and other contestants train like the Marines!

View Comments (1)

Donate to The Pitch

$775

$1000

Contributed

Our Goal

Your donation will support the student journalists of Walter Johnson High School. Your contribution will allow us to purchase equipment and cover our annual website hosting costs.

About the Contributor

Katie Levingston, Online Editor in Chief

Although she seems quiet on the outside, 2010-2011 Online Editor-in-Chief Katie Levingston is bursting with energy on the inside. A former young Parisian in her second year on staff, Katie models her life after certain television shows, namely Gilmore Girls and Friends. She is unnaturally familiar with said sitcoms; she longs for the day when she can eat anything she wants and spend all her time at Central Perk in the Village. Nothing happens to her in real life, it all happens in Stars Hollow or in Monica’s apartment… okay? When she’s not practicing her speed-talking, she plays a mean clarinet in many different musical groups and spends inordinate amounts of time editing videos for the website. Among her most pressing decisions in life are what to order at a restaurant and which scarf to wear that day. She is insanely proud of her thick curly hair when it cooperates. She’s super excited to be a part of the up-and-coming wjpitch.com. Her doppelganger Anne Hathaway says, "Hi!"