May 19, 2022 | It was just a few months ago when 11 Stevan Dohanos 3rd-5th grade girls set out on a mission: to run the Girls on the Run 5K from start to finish as a team.
Four staff members joined their crusade, serving as coaches, support persons, and — on race day — enthusiastic encouragers who were right beside them for the 3.1-mile race through Canal Park and Akron RubberDucks Stadium. Looking back on the May 14th race, each girl — who now proudly wears a medal dangling from their neck — said they learned they could do anything if they put their minds to it.
“The day was kind of tiring, and it was confusing being in a new place where I had never run before, but I had fun,” said Emery Dews, a 4th grader who runs under the name Extraordinary Emery.
Each girl selected a running name using the first letter of their first name and a word they hoped best described them.
This is Steven Dohanos’ fourth year participating in Girls on the Run, but just the second time students partook in the annual race, which was curtailed for two years due to COVID. Stevan Dohanos was not the only school impacted by Girls on the Run.
Students at Frank Jacinto Elementary School participated in the fall, and students from Palm Elementary, Toni Morrison Elementary, and Longfellow Middle School also joined the May 14 run.
“I really appreciate how my team was with me, and we made it to the end,” said fourth-grader Tsiany Figueroa, aptly named Tough Tsiany.
The program is not just about running a race, the culminating event after months of practice. The girls also learn critical life skills and improve their confidence and overall physical fitness. Starting each practice by identifying the “clouds” in their lives or negative thoughts, the girls learned how to focus on the “stars,” or how to have more positive thoughts.
“You can’t focus on the negative because that gets in the way,” said fifth-grader Yaneliz Maldonado, also known as Youthful Yaneliz.
The girls also find ways to participate in a community impact project each year. This year, Stevan Dohanos runners chose to clean up Gen. Johnnie Wilson Park on Fulton Avenue. During practice runs to and from the park, the girls filled several 13-gallon trash bags with litter.
With one 5K race under their belts and the hardware to prove it, each girl now says running another race is top on their list of goals.
“Anyone can be a runner,” said third-grader Kay’Lanni Downs, best known as Knockout Kay’Lanni. “If you want to be a runner, start by being a walker. You can do it. Just never give up.”
Meet the Stevan Dohanos Girls on the Run Team
Glerisha Raby | Graceful Glerisha (5th)
Yaneliz Maldonado | Youthful Yaneliz (5th)
Keiliany Figueroa | Kind Keiliany (5th)
Alondra Gonzalez | Amazing Alondra (4th)
Tsiany Figueroa | Tough Tsiany (4th)
Emery Dews | Extraordinary Emery (4th)
Migelis Ruiz Charriez | Majestic Migelis (4th)
Averielle Berger | Angelic Avi (3rd)
Kay’Lanni Downs | Knockout Kay’Lanni (3rd)
E’Livia Stubbs | Exciting E’Livia (3rd)
Jade Price | Jumpy Jade (3rd)
Coaches:
Catalina Blidaru (Intervention Specialist)
Kayli Jacopin (3rd-grade Teacher)
Kimberley Milks (4th-grade Teacher)
Tammy Catanza (5th-grade Teacher)