This spring, 5th grade girls, LilyGrayce Delong, Ryanne Gable, Natalie Hoppes, Chloe Hubbs, Isabella Kodis, Jayla Lanning-Minett, Abby Portz, Isabella Rowe, Morgan Schuler, and Genny Sharrar participated in the Girls on the Run program. Girls on the Run is an international organization with a chapter which services Lehigh County.
The program’s focus is to help girls begin their transition into adolescence. It focuses on self-esteem and understanding themselves, how to make and keep promises, taking care of their bodies physically and emotionally, being a team member and friend, cooperating with others, being part of a community and helping in the community. During the ten week program, the girls discussed and learned about these issues while participating in activities to build physical endurance by walking and running.
At the end of the program, the girls participated in a 5K event, which was held at Macungie Elementary School this year. Each girl is paired with a volunteer running buddy to run and walk the 5K (3.1 miles). Macungie staff, Allyson Smith, Ruth Delong, and Kathleen Farrel participated as running buddies for the event.
The girls also choose, plan, and implement a community impact project. The Macungie team created inspirational ‘rocks,’ which they painted and added quotes to brighten the day of Macungie staff members.
The team was coached by Macungie and Lower Macungie teachers, Amy Brown, Christine McCorristin, Lynda O’Connor and Amy Wikert.
