Basalt Elementary empowers girls through exercise

Tennis shoes flashed across leaf-covered grass outside Basalt Elementary on Thursday afternoon, followed by laughter, cheers, and conversation. 

Elementary school girls took to the field after class to participate in the twice-weekly practices of Girls on the Run, a program working to empower girls through exercise. This is the 13th year Basalt Elementary has worked with the international nonprofit to uplift their students.

Kappi Meldrum, Basalt Elementary Girls on the Run head coach, said the international nonprofit helps girls develop positive self-identity and self-confidence, which is critical at that stage of their youth. 

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“For young girls, this is a crucial time in order to encourage positive self-talk, positive self-image,” she said. “They’ll identify things they like about themselves, things they like about their friends. They also learn the importance of community service.”

She said in practice they have the girls focus on social and emotional learning, building their individual strengths, and connecting with each other in a team setting. They also focus on how they can help the community and make the world a better place. 

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Girls on the Run Coach Melissa McCann said they want to give girls opportunities they didn’t have themselves when they were growing up.

“When you see women or people that look like you doing things that you dream of doing, it just makes it seem more attainable,” McCann said.

Meldrum said the program helps girls learn how to stand up for themselves.

“In situations in which maybe they feel like they don’t have a voice, Girls on the Run gives them the tools in order to self-advocate,” she said.

They also do a community service project to get girls thinking about the greater needs of the town. This year they cleaned trash on the playground and helped maintain the school garden.

The girls take part in a “runraiser” to help families afford the cost of the program, where they go door-to-door of friends and family to raise funds. With the money, the program can drop the cost of participation from $90 to $35 and provide girls in need with running shoes. 

This fall the girls are training for a culminating 5k in Steamboat Springs on Nov. 9.

“I think it’s also important, too, for them to set a challenging goal,” Meldrum said. “And work towards meeting that goal and then accomplish the goal.”

Basalt Elementary fourth grader Petra Ruiz said she likes running and everything about Girls on the Run. 

“I like how it makes me feel,” Ruiz said.

Third grader Ximena Geslle said she likes running with her friend, Amanda, in the program. She also said the 5k will be a great opportunity to show what she can do.

Fifth grader Stella Mausner said she likes the coaches and the other girls in the program.

“They’re very supportive and enthusiastic,” Mausner said. 

Fourth grader Leila Dogbe said she likes “learning about how to keep positive.”

Girls on the Run participant Kyla Schoenbrunn said her bracelets help her remember “you’ve got this,” when she’s running or challenging herself in the program.

Participant Nina Amato said her favorite part of the program is running laps and being with her friends. 

She also likes “Exercise and good laughs … and to make the world even better.”

Meldrum said it’s important for girls to develop healthy relationships and healthy habits, like exercising and eating well, at elementary school age, but specifically when they’re between third and fifth grade. 

“Developing that positive self image is paramount,” Meldrum said, adding, “Women’s sports is really important to just give girls a sense of who they are, and they’re strong and powerful, and they can do anything they set their minds to.”

Skyler Stark-Ragsdale can be reached at 970-429-9152 or email him at sstark-ragsdale@aspentimes.com.