WILMINGTON — Wilmington Middle School physical and health education teachers Whitney Harrington and Jessie Houdieshell recently challenged sixth-grade students to participate in a 5K run (3.1 miles). While some students went the full distance and others went further than they thought they could, they all turned out to show their support for Breast Cancer Awareness Month and the Susan G. Komen Foundation.
Students were greeted with cheers of support and encouragement by Harrington and Houdieshell, in addition to other middle school teachers — many of whom walked and ran alongside their students.
The decision to require students to participate in the 5K initially evolved in physical education class because PE, like all classes, is based on learning standards that students must meet. One such standard requires students to achieve and maintain a health-enhancing level of physical fitness that focuses on cardio-respiratory endurance.
The greater lesson, however, learned by WMS students is that an individual activity such as participating in a 5K strengthens one’s mental toughness while improving his or her fitness level.
By looking beyond the classroom and the learning standard, students discovered they “could be a part of something bigger than themselves,” said Harrington. “Many of them attempted and completed their first 5K while supporting breast cancer awareness, and it was rewarding to see students encourage each other and push themselves mentally to finish the race.”
Seventh- and eighth-grade students will complete their 5K in the near future.
Information for this article was provided by Diana Miller, who coordinates communications for several area schools.
