First Posted: 10/22/2012

According to Ralph Waldo Emerson, “Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.” Littlefield Middle School has taken this mantra to heart with its youth empowerment program, Girls on Track.

Girls on Track is one of two programs empowering females through physical and emotional health at the school. Girls on the Run, which involves third- through fifth-graders, and Girls on Track, which involves in sixth- through eighth-graders, empowers girls with a greater sense of self-awareness.

The programs seek to increase a sense of achievement, teamwork and a commitment to community through physical activity in order to help girls become strong, healthy, confident women.

Its concludes with all participants walking or running in a 5K event, and what better place to do that than at the Chevy to the Levee event on Nov. 3 at Luther Britt Park?

The girls will be running their 5k that day and also handing out information at their own booth.

The youth development program that was founded by Molly Barker in 1996 in Charlotte features an experience-based curriculum which creatively integrates running.

Girls on the Run International is the parent organization to more than 190 councils across North America, serving more than 60,000 girls annually.

Through interactive activities such as running, playing games and discussing important issues, participants in the 10-week program teach girls how to celebrate their unique and real selves.

Each session is led by trained volunteer female coaches who guide and mentor girls through the fun and uplifting curriculum.

The program utilizes a whole-person approach to elevate emotional, social, mental and physical health. Lessons include topics to enable girls to effectively problem solve and remain strong during adolescence. Topics include dealing with body image and the media, resisting peer-pressure, making healthy decisions and contributing to the community.

Girls on the Run is not a program that trains girls to compete at an elite running level. Girls on the Run coaches are volunteers and they do not need to be elite runners. Any woman who lives a healthy lifestyle and is committed to improving the lives of girls can serve as a coach.

For information, stop by their booth at Chevy to the Levee, or visit www.girlsontherun.org.