Girls on the Run emphasizes positive life choices at Roxboro
This fall, Roxboro Elementary School offered a new after school activity, Girls on the Run, a 10-week program that trains girls to run a 5K while increasing their self-esteem and teaching them to make positive choices in life. It was offered to girls in the fifth grade. The girls were coached by Roxboro Elementary teachers Holly Dzurko, Monica Rogers, Jen Steiss and Karen Willmitch.
The teachers were pleasantly surprised by the overwhelming interest and had to hold a lottery to create the team. The group met on Tuesdays and Thursdays during lunch.
The training paid off and the girls had an amazing time at their race on Nov. 13. Team member Glennis Covault said, “Girls on the Run is probably one of the best programs I’ve ever been to. It was a time to get together with friends, exercise, and learn some life lessons. It helped me learn how to handle life.”
The group is now finishing up the program and working on a community service project. For more information, visit www.gotrgreatesummit.org.
Karen Willmitch
Karen Willmitch is an intervention specialist at Roxboro Elementary School and the head coach of Roxboro's Girls on the Run team.