20 West Sedona School Girls Discover the Thrills of Running

After a multi-year pause, the Girls on the Run program has made its way back to West Sedona School, enrolling 20 participants with an additional five students on a waitlist. The initiative is spearheaded by Kelly Cadigan, a fourth-grade teacher and graduate of Sedona Red Rock High School.

“Having grown up participating in sports, running was a pivotal part of my empowerment,” Cadigan shared. Her experience on the school’s track team and involvement in soccer fueled her passion for instilling a sense of confidence and physical well-being in her students. “This program equips girls to embrace running and its benefits for years to come,” she added.

Third grader Violet Young echoed these sentiments, stating, “Everyone is nice and encouraging here, and I enjoy running, especially when I experience growing pains.”

According to Kelly Teeselink, Director of Girls on the Run for Northern Arizona, the program transcends mere running. “It’s an empowerment initiative designed for girls from third to eighth grade. We harness movement to impart essential life skills like self-confidence and building positive relationships,” she explained.

Fifth grader Melody Medina articulated one of the program’s teachings: “You learn to pause and breathe, which helps in responding kindly to others.”

Participants like Aisa Gallegos are also focusing on techniques such as breathing control. “When jogging, I breathe in slowly and then exhale, repeating the process. It’s challenging, but I’ve learned to encourage one another,” she noted.

Girls on the Run operates 27 teams across Northern Arizona, engaging around 340 girls from the Coconino, Yavapai, and Navajo counties. Within the Verde Valley, the program is also active at schools like Clarkdale-Jerome Elementary and Sedona Charter School, maintaining an average team size of 15 to ensure personalized attention.

“Reaching my goal lap is my favorite part so far,” said fifth grader Luna Bustos. “I started with eight laps, then did 15, and today, I aim for 17. It feels empowering—if I can run this much, I can tackle a marathon.”

Encouragement within the group often comes in the form of the “star sparkler” title. “A star sparkler is someone who shines and motivates others,” fifth grader Scarlett Cordova explained.

The program culminates in a 5K event, where participants both train and apply what they’ve learned over ten weeks. “At the season’s end, we host a 5K to celebrate their hard work,” Teeselink mentioned.

Cadigan added a community service element to the curriculum, requiring students to design and execute projects aimed at positively impacting their surroundings. “It teaches them the importance of giving back,” she remarked.

The Girls on the Run Fall Season Celebratory 5K Run is slated for Saturday, November 9, at Camp Verde Sports Complex, commencing at 10 a.m. Teeselink highlighted a recent shift, noting the addition of a Camp Verde event following 15 years of hosting in Flagstaff.

“This innovation invites community participation, and we welcome volunteers to cheer the girls on,” Teeselink stated, emphasizing the importance of support for the participants.

Each girl will have a “running buddy”—usually a family member—to cheer them on during the race. “We ensure no girl is turned away due to financial constraints,” Teeselink affirmed. “The West Sedona team heavily relies on scholarships funded by community donations, allowing us to provide essentials like running shoes and gear.”

For more information about the Girls on the Run program, interested parties can visit gotrna.org.