Sonya Hollins, publisher
editor@comvoicesonline.com
Photos by Sonya Hollins
KALAMAZOO (MICH.)-“Girls on the Run is so much fun,” was chanted over and over as girls motivated one another to keep moving. It was a bit drizzly outside as nearly a dozen girls ran, jogged, or walked around the track at Lincoln International Studies School which as two Girls on the Run teams. The cool rain provided the refreshment they needed on their three-mile practice run toward the annual Girls on the Run event May 24 at Western Michigan University’s Waldo Stadium.
As coaches Kym Hollars and Larese White encourage the girls, as they too will participate in the run, motivating them each step of the way. The Kalamazoo chapter of Girls on the Run celebrates its 10th year of participation in the nationwide program founded in 1996 by Molly Baker, a four-time Hawaii Ironman triathlete.
White said she volunteers because she not only wants to provide a positive role model for the girls, she wants to stress the importance of self esteem, and keeping in shape. It was during one of her own jogs around WMU’s track that she noticed a sea of multicolored shirts running toward Waldo Stadium.
“I saw a rainbow of T-shirts and wanted to know what was going on ,” said White, an assistant coach for the past two years. “I contacted Girls on the Run, and said I wanted to be a part of it.”
Hollars volunteered with Girls on the Run for three years before becoming a coach two years ago. She participated with her young daughter who now is 15, who also will run with the girls on their big day. Running is not new to Hollar who has participated in such 5ks as the Borgess Fit Runs and Susan B. Komen runs. As an assistant at Lincoln Elementary School, Hollar said her relationship with them allows her to bond further after school.
The girls love their opportunity to spend even more time with their friends after school, learning and exercising.
Here is what they had to say:
Alexis Baker, 4th grade: It helps me in gym to run faster.
Arianna Mann, 3rd grade: It’s fun.
Tori Martin, 5th grade: I was in Girls on the Run at Mt. Zion since 3rd grade, but now I’m at Lincoln where I go to school. There are (coaches) who pick us up when we feel down. It helps me in my life to build more confidence.
Honesty Trotman, 4th grade: I like Girls on the Run. It’s fun, and you get to run…and even win awards like the Spirit award.
Deasia Andrews, 5th: It’s really fun. I get to be with my friends. During the race you get to bring your family members; they ran with me too.
Kennedy Fields, 5th: I like Girls on the Run because it makes you happy, and (teaches that) you got to always think positive. I learned that you shouldn’t judge people by how they look or what they do.
Jaionna Bowden, 5th grade: (GOTR) unites me and my friends; we participate and do new things every week. The run last year was challenging, but it was fun. After the race I felt tired, but more confident.
Azshia Steele: 4th grade: We learn about peer pressure, confidence, and lots of things every week. It’s not nice to bully people, because it will make them feel like they are not a part of something.
The Girls on the Run annual event will be held at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, May 24 at Waldo Stadium on the campus of Western Michigan University. For more information, or to participate as a volunteer runner, contributor, or other capacity, contact Sandy Barry-Loken, director, at: 269-491-6855, or visit: www.girlsontherunkazoo.org
