Running program helps Mundelein girls develop positive self-image

Training for a 5K is a lot harder than running in gym class, said Brenda Lagunes, a sixth-grader at Carl Sandburg Middle School in Mundelein.

“Running really isn’t my thing, but it’s good for your health and going through obstacles makes you stronger,” Lagunes said.

Lagunes, along with 15 of her classmates, recently completed a 10-week program called “Heart & Sole,” sponsored by the nonprofit organization Girls on the Run, whose mission is to inspire girls and increase their confidence through conversation-based lessons, team-building games and running.

The program concluded Sunday with girls from schools across Lake County running a 5K at the College of Lake County in Grayslake.

Sixth, seventh and eighth-grade girls at Carl Sandburg Middle School began the program in March, meeting after school every Tuesday and Thursday for a healthy snack, classroom lesson and exercise.

“You get to talk about your self-esteem and other girls are nice to you and you can meet new people,” said Emma Spencer, a sixth-grader.

For many of the girls, it was the first time they ran for a significant amount of time, let alone train for a 5K.

“I wasn’t a runner,” said Stephanie Diaz, a seventh-grader. “It was a new thing for me but I really enjoyed it.”

This is the fourth year the school has participated in the program, which is funded by Girls on the Run.

“It’s a great organization and we’re happy to be working with them,” said Kelsy Cain, school social worker and program liaison.

Throughout Heart & Sole, the girls shared their feelings and discovered their strengths while building life skills and character.

“We’ve learned how to support each other. We’re not against each other. We’re a team,” Diaz said.

On program days, the girls participated in confidence-building exercises while running laps around the school. During one session, the girls tagged each other’s backs after each lap with notes listing their best inner qualities.

“I learned you’re perfect the way you are,” Spencer said.

Having girls from all grade levels participate in the program created a feeling of unity regardless of age, Cain said. “It was nice for the older girls to mentor the younger ones.”

Eighth-grader Yahaira Garcia, who signed up for the program along with her sister Monica, found the confidence to step outside her comfort zone and make new friends.

“At the beginning, I didn’t talk to anyone besides my sister, but throughout the program I started talking to more people. I learned to go outside my bubble and be more interactive with people,” she said.

Program participants included sixth-graders Jackie Diaz, Victoria Bloniarz, Giselle Guerra, Meghan Morey, Emma Spencer and Brenda Lagunes; seventh-graders Gigi Wick, Esly Quebrado, Evelin Montiel, Stephanie Diaz, Dayanara Lemus, Emily Dunlap, Marlen Martinez and Juliana Martinez; and eighth-graders Yahaira Garcia and Monica Garcia.

The coaches were social worker Suzanne Klosinski, special education teacher Melissa Parilla, instructional learning program teacher Heather Franz and social worker Jodi Kane.