A Menands School club is putting young girls in the fast lane for a life of physical fitness and leadership.
Girls On The Run is open to girls in grades 3-5 at the school and is part of a national organization that has a stated mission of “inspiring participants to recognize their inner strength, increase their level of physical activity, imagine their possibilities, and confidently stand up for themselves and others.”
Meeting twice a week in the fall, the Menands club “does a combination of community building, social emotional work, and physical activity,” said advisor Katie Nersesian, a Reading Teacher at Menands. Music Teacher Lauren Hayes and community member Kelley Lemyre also oversee the club.
Thirteen students took part this year: Fifth grade students Sadie Lemyre, Nila Saravanan and Madison Ries; fourth grade students Theresia Kusakana, Varnika Pradeep, Preeda Mucheli and Adeline Blanchette; and third grade students Danna Ali, Lara Ibrahim, Nora Lemyre, Audrey Luke, Corinne Manss and Isabella Rivera.
Nersesian said the club focuses on “friendship, self-esteem, believing in ourselves, and lifting up others.”
She said Girls On The Run also stresses that each girl moves at their “Happy pace”.
“We move in any way that works for us and really focus on moving forward- in whatever way that is,” she said.
The club recently concluded its season with the annual Girls on the Run 5k Celebratory Event at Jennings Landing in Albany.
The reading teacher also wanted to thank the fifth-grade students who are graduating from the club this year.
“Throughout the past 3 years, Sadie, Nila, and Madison have been leaders, sources of positivity, and girls who exemplify using their star power,” she said.