Weiser youth participate in Girls on the Run

Led and coordinated by Lisa Horzen, a group of local girls in the third through fifth grades participated in their first 5K, thanks to the Girls on the Run program.
 Girls on the Run is a nationwide effort for young girls that is about more than just running. It is a specially designed curriculum for girls that focuses on empowerment, confidence and self-value.
 According to the organization’s website, the researched-based curriculum is divided into three parts: “understanding ourselves, valuing relationships and teamwork, and recognizing how we can shape the world at large.”
 “Girls on the Run reaches girls at a critical stage, strengthening their confidence at a time when society begins to tell them they can’t. Underscoring the important connection between physical and emotional health, our program addresses the whole girl when she needs it the most.”
 Horzen found the Girls on the Run program through her time at Boise State University. In speaking with the program coordinator, Horzen was convinced that it would be a great program to bring to Weiser.
 Once she worked through the proper procedures for approval for a charter in Washington County with the national organization, Horzen began raising awareness and support in the community to establish a program.  This meant raising funds, awareness and organizing coaches and volunteers.
 Along with Horzen, the team of volunteer coaches included Diane Hill, Kaylee Ward, and Val West. Horzen said that these ladies were instrumental in the success of the program.
 The program requires that there are a minimum of eight girls to have an official group and Weiser ended up having 13 participate.
 The program is a 10-week curriculum. They met two times a week for 90 minutes. During these times, they followed the lessons that focused on the skills of empowerment, confidence and self-value and served a snack and incorporated the health benefits of running. Each meeting was structured to increase their running endurance alongside those other important skills and life lessons.   
 The program also requires that each chartered group completes a community service project. The Weiser chapter chose to make homemade cards for the nursing home residents.
 The culminating event was a 5k on Saturday, Nov. 9, on the Boise greenbelt, starting and ending at Julia Davis Park and included Girls on the Run participants from all over the Treasure Valley.
 Weiser group participants MaKenzie Rollins and Alivia Goff both shared that the 5k was a monumental way to culminate the group.
 “The 5K was awesome,” Rollins said. “I liked my coach and teammates.”
 Goff shared that she that she was able to spend time with her friends and make new friends and she was surprised they made it three miles. And while right now she is not sure she ever wants to run again, she enjoyed the group and loved what they learned in class.    
 “It wasn’t just running. We learned how to be a good friend and how to tell if something is positive or negative in our lives,” Goff said.      
 Horzen said that overall the program was a success, and that was thanks to the support of the community.
 “We had  many generous donations from individuals in the community as well as groups such as the Lady Elks to fund this program in Weiser, “ Horzen said.      
 There is another opportunity for Weiser to participate in this program in the spring as well as next fall.  
 At this time, Horzen is hopeful that since much of the coordinating of volunteers and financial support has been completed, that they can continue the program.  
 Horzen invites anyone who is interested to contact her and or check out the group’s Facebook page: “Girls on the Run Park School.”