BOONE—Girls on the Run of the High Country (GOTR-HC) has announced the start of the spring 2016 season, which will run Feb. 22 through May 15. The Girls on the Run program is being offered at four schools in Watauga County, one in Wilkes County and three in Avery County.

More than 150 girls in third through eighth grade will participate in the 10-week program that incorporates running as a tool to inspire and motivate girls, encourage health and fitness habits and build confidence and self-esteem. The curriculum allows girls to establish an understanding of who they are, what is important to them and the role of teams and healthy relationships in their lives, and to explore how they can positively connect with and shape the world through community engagement.

Girls on the Run helps girls take charge of their lives and see how rewarding it is to work towards a goal and achieve it.

Participating schools are:

Girls on the Run (third-fifth grades)

• Hardin Park Elementary (Watauga)
• Cove Creek Elementary (Watauga)
• Valle Crucis Elementary (Watauga)
• Banner Elk Elementary (Avery)
• Newland Elementary (Avery)
• Crossnore Elementary (Avery)

Heart and Sole, Girls on the Run’s new program for middle school girls (sixth-eighth grades)

• North Wilkes Middle (Wilkes)
• Mabel Elementary (Watauga)

“Watching the girls in our program get to know themselves, share their uniqueness and reach their goals is one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve ever had. You can clearly see the impact the program has in each girl, and in her school, family and the community,” said Mary Sheryl Horine, council director of Girls on the Run of the High Country and associate director of Appalachian State University’s Institute for Health and Human Services.

The twice weekly after-school lessons are led by trained coaches who guide the girls through the 10-week program and help prepare them for a lifetime of self-respect and healthy living. At the end of the program season, girls and their coaches participate in a 5K Sunday, May 15, in Boone. The event is open to the entire community.

The program is committed to serving all girls. Last year 72 percent of participants received some kind of financial assistance to participate in the program.

To learn more about the program, how to volunteer or to register for the community 5K, visit www.gotr.appstate.edu. You do not have to be a runner to get involved. Girls on the Run needs program coaches, committee members and 5K volunteers. Contact the organization at 828-262-7557 to discuss which role will best fit your skills, talents and schedule.

Girls on the Run is an international organization that began in 1996 to promote physical, emotional and social development in girls. Girls on the Run strives to teach girls important life skills that they can use to better navigate the challenges of adolescence. Girls on the Run came to the High Country in 2009 and is sponsored by the Beaver College of Health Sciences at Appalachian. The program also receives support from the Women’s Fund of the Blue Ridge ZAP Fitness, Our Daily Bread, FastMed, App Ortho and Panera Bread.

About Appalachian State University

As a premier public institution, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives. App State is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System, with a national reputation for innovative teaching and opening access to a high-quality, affordable education for all. The university enrolls more than 21,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and 80 graduate majors at its Boone and Hickory campuses and through App State Online. Learn more at https://www.appstate.edu.

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