5/26/2018
Over 1,000 runners took off from the starting line of the MedExpress Girls on the run 5K at the WVU Student Recreation Center.
Girls on the Run is a physical-activity based development program for elementary age girls that prepares them for a 5-K over the course of 10 weeks while teaching them life skills in the process.
"Helping them to see what their unique qualities are, how to be a good friend, how to prevent bullying, and how to contribute to their communities," said Laurie Abildso, executive director.
This season, there were 659 girls from North Central West Virginia enrolled in the program. One team from Kasson Elementary in Barbour County shares what they learned over the past couple of months.
"We learned about empathy, by putting yourself in someone else's shoes."
"How to treat people the way you want to be treated."
"We learned that we don't always have to be the same thing; you can be yourself, you don't have to be like other people."
In addition to building life-long skills, the girls gain life-long friends...and mentors.
"All the people are really supportive and helpful," said 2018 West Virginia Princess Gabrielle Jordan.
Although the program ends with the race, Girls on the Run is about so much more than reaching a finish line.
"Young girls get so many conflicting messages about how they should act and look, and our program really counters those messages and lets girls know that they are beautiful just the way they are and to let their inner beauty shine," said Abildso.
Courtesy of WDTV.com. Original article can be viewed here.