Girls on the Run is an after-school program for girls in third through fifth grades in all 50 states with the program in Winslow program headed by Washington Elementary School teacher Taylor Bradley. The mission of the non-profit organization is, “To create a world where every girl knows and activates her limitless potential and is free to boldly pursue her dreams.”
During the Winslow Unified School District Governing Board last week, Bradley brought some of the girls from the program to be recognized for their accomplishments.
“This year we have 54 girls. Our program incorporates running and nutrition with things like being a good friend, positive self-image and positive self-talk. These are things that girls this age really need,” explained Bradley.
Several of the girls spoke and expressed their appreciation for the program as well. Tatum Henling, a fourth grader at Bonnie Brennan Elementary said, “My favorite part about Girls on the Run is that we get to run and we get to learn life lessons.”
According to Bradley, participants in the program learn to build each other up, be positive and friendly to others. A study done by positive youth development expert and kinesiology professor Dr. Maureen Weiss, girls experience issues with self-confidence as young as nine years old. The study also reflected that half of girls between the ages of 10 and 13 experience bullying. Bradley hopes that the Girls on the Run program will help teach participants skills in coping with those issues as well as reasons not to become bullies themselves.
Governing Board President Sharon Greenwood said, “I believe that when girls are influenced positively, the world is definitely a better place.”
The Girls on the Run will participate in a 5k run with other Northern Arizona groups this weekend. For information on Girls on the Run, visit www.gotrna.org or Taylor Bradley at Washington Elementary School.
