Girls on the Run
This semester, I started volunteering for Girls on the Run. Girls on the Run is a national organization that teaches girls about self-esteem, positive relationships and healthy living. As an after school program for girls in grades 3-6, GOTR uses running, stretching and team work games in order to teach the girls about positive body image. The head coaches are volunteers from the Nashville community and Vanderbilt students serve as mentors for the girls.
I volunteer at JT Moore Middle School every Tuesday. JT Moore is an economically diverse middle school about 10 minutes away from Vanderbilt. There are 8 girls enrolled in the program and each week, five Vanderbilt girls volunteer. We do everything from run with the girls to organizing team-building activities.
I have really enjoyed watching the girls improve each week. When Girls on the Run first started, the girls could hardly run a mile. Now, in the 30 minutes allotted for the continuous run, many of the girls are running over two miles. I am inspired by their improvement, but even more by their wise words. I am always blown away by their positive outlook on life. They support each other unconditionally, always cheering on the other team during ‘competitions.’ The girls also have a great sense of self. They love themselves and are all confident, which is something many girls loose sight of as they mature.
Another perk to volunteering with Girls on the Run is that I get a great work out. Who knew that 9-year olds could run 9-minute miles? Definitely not me, but trying to keep up with these girls is more than enough for one day’s exercise.
My time with Girls on the Run has been enjoyable and rewarding.