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team tiars

We Did it! We all completed the 5K Run! Congratulations to everyone who participated!

It was not a Marathon but like one for our WONDERGIRLS! We have to shamelessly brag on a bunch of little girls so if you would indulge us please.....

Saturday, June 5, 2010, was the WonderGirl 5K sponsored by Girls On The Run. This was the culminating event of a 13 week self esteem, positive body image program for girls in grades 3-5.

It was a muggy overcast morning but the girls and their families came out to run....for many their first 5K and for many the longest distance they have ever run. The coaches gathered our girls...all 13 of our third grade girls who began the program came out to run together. We pinned on their numbers and set off to decorate tiaras. The rain soon started and then stopped and we got a little damp…but it did not dampen our spirits! You can only get wet once! Soon it was time to line up and run....each girl walked to the start with their running buddy (an adult that runs with the girl for support), hand in hand. We had many other runners supporting us and running with us…siblings, parents, friends…..even Father Musula!

The gun sounded and we were off....a little slowly at first as there were so many people and not a lot of space. As we ran along the lakefront the crowds cheered and honked horns in support of the girls. Everywhere words of encouragement could be heard....."You can do this!" "I am proud of you!" "You are going to finish..." We walked a bit and ran a bit …we got through the distance….

As soon as the finish line was in sight the girls finally realized that they would finish. We ran to the finish with the sounds of the crowd yelling and flashes going off as a multitude of parents and supporters took pictures and cheered! The girls…every one of them…crossed the finish line head held high smiling from ear to ear!

When we arrived back at our school gathering site, we met with all the other girls proudly wearing their medals! Parents were all sharing stories with one another so visibly proud of their little girls! The girls were beaming! What a sight!!! Shortly after, it was time to part ways and head home to dry off.

The girls wore their shirts and medals to school on Monday and we coaches could not be prouder of them!!This was a life changing event for not only the girls but families and coaches as well.

We all started running at different times in our lives. We all run for different reasons. We all train for different events. Everyone had to start somewhere. Our hope and prayer is that this was the start of something good for all these girls and families.

If you see these WONDERGIRLS …..congratulate them! They deserve it! They really are SUPERSTARS!!!!!!

Peace,

Ms. Tracy Caronia

Mrs. Kristine Nader

GOTR Coaches

Girls on the Run is a non-profit organization dedicated to educating and preparing girls for a lifetime of self-respect and healthy living.

GOTR utilizes a specifically designed tested curriculum for third, fourth and fifth grade girls to enhance the physical, social, emotional, mental and spiritual needs of each participant. The following life lessons are covered in the 10 week program:

Learning to develop an understanding of ones self
Setting personal goals for nutrition and exercise
Understanding the importance of being physically, mentally, and emotionally healthy
Understanding core values and what makes us unique
Getting along within a group
Knowing the importance if listening, assertiveness, and the importance of being positive
Learning to components of good decision making
Letting go of negative feelings and situations
Understanding the nature of social messages we receive through he media and other institutions
Recognizing the damage the stereotyping, gossip and discriminatory behavior can cause

Each of these lessons will be taught while implementing a physical activity. By the end of the 10 weeks, the girls will run/walk 3.1 miles in the WonderGirl 5K fun run held at Toyota Park in Bridgeview on November 15 th. It is our goal that girls will complete the program with a stronger sense of identity, a greater acceptance of themselves, a healthier body image and an understanding of what it means to be part of a team.

To learn more about Girls on the Run, please visit www.gotrchicago.org !!

Our ending cheer is "Girls on the Run is so much Fun!"

We take turns being in the middle as "Pop-Up" Girl !

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