Kylie Ryan is a courageous girl that participated in Girls on the Run during the Spring 2016 season. Kylie exemplified what it is to be a “Girl on the Run” over the summer as she raised $225 for the program by creating fun chalk drawings for her neighbors. “My mom suggested that I put my talents to use, I had some extra time in the summer so I decided to make chalk art to raise money for Girls on the Run.” says Kylie.
Girls on the Run is a ten week after-school initiative that inspires girls to be joyful, healthy, and confident using a fun, experiential curriculum that creatively integrates running.
While sitting down with Kylie at the Carls YMCA I was drawn to her charisma, caring, and sense of humor. I asked her to tell me a little about her team, Kylie replied, “We played games, pushed each other and ourselves to run more and I really liked high fiving with my friend Carmella!” She continued, “I really like my coaches, they gave us compliments. We would sing, ‘Just keep swimming’ during practices while we ran.” When we started to discuss the big 5K event at the end of the season, Kylie said “I really liked the run… it was pretty, I liked running with my mom”. When asked about how it felt crossing the finish line Kylie said, “I felt good but tired, I fell asleep on the ride home. My mom made me a PB&J and I ate it faster than usual!”
Sailboats, rainbows, and cupcakes were some of Kylie’s chalk art but she said that her favorite was drawing the Michigan State University flag. “That’s where I want to go to college to be a police officer” Kylie explained. When I asked her about this, she said it was one of her biggest goals. “Being a police officer is kind of like being a superhero but not all superheros have to have superpowers” she said. She then showed me her “Jr. Police” badge she received at school.
Because of Kylie, eight girls will have brand new shoes this fall that need them. Kylie lit up with a big smile when I told her this. Kylie is a great example that there is a superhero is all of us.
For more information or to donate to Girls on the Run visit www.gotrdetroit.org