11 year-old runner travelling to LA to Receive Youth Achievement Award at ESPYs Breakfast...
Forsyth County, GA– Thanks to support from her local teammates at Girls on the Run Forsyth an 11 year-old runner from Chicago will be traveling to the ESPY’s this month to receive the first-ever Earn Your Stripes™ Youth Achievement Award, which honors young athletes. Nichyria Byrd, a sixth-grader from Chicago and member of Girls on the Run®, beat out four other student athletes in nationwide voting to secure the honor. Byrd credits the strong support of her teammates from across the country, who organized a national online campaign on her behalf.
“Many people think of running as a solo sport, but at Girls on the Run, it’s all about teamwork,” said Byrd. “Girls on the Run has taught me that if we all work together, support each other, and believe in ourselves and one another, we can achieve our dreams. I’m so grateful for the love and support of all of my teammates around the country. I know any one of them could have been nominated instead of me, and I’m honored to represent Girls on the Run.”
As part of the effort, Girls on the Run Forsyth sent e-mails to its 600 or so young runners and volunteers encouraging them to vote online for Byrd. The effort paid off. Byrd began the three-week voting period in distant last place, but surged ahead as the national grassroots effort kicked in and then never looked back.
“Girls on the Run isn’t about running, it’s about empowering young girls to make wise decisions, and teaching them that ultimately, they have the power to change the world,” said Cathie Brugnoli, Executive Director of Girls on the Run Forsyth. “This has been a very empowering experience for all of our girls, because they could see their own individual efforts as part of a team paying off in a really big way.”
Created by Kellogg’s Frosted Flakes®, the goal of the Earn Your Stripes™ program is to encourage kids to believe in themselves, work hard, do their best, and make healthy choices. Earn Your Stripes™ created the Youth Achievement Award to honor kids who aren’t necessarily the fastest or score the most points, but exemplify teamwork, sportsmanship, and healthy, positive attitudes. Molly Barker, Founder of Girls on the Run, says the award puts the right focus on sports for young athletes.
“Like Girls on the Run, the goal of Earn Your Stripes is to use sports as a way to encourage kids to believe in themselves, to overcome challenges, and make their dreams a reality,” said Barker. “Nichyria will be honored for her positive attitude, belief in herself and respect for her teammates. These characteristics are celebrated by both Girls on the Run and the Earn Your Stripes program and we are extremely proud to have one of our own runners on stage to accept this honor.”
Byrd will travel to Los Angeles to accept the Youth Achievement Award at the ESPYs Breakfast on July 16 before an audience of professional athletes and sports executives. That night, she and her parents will walk down the red carpet to attend the 2008 ESPY’s award show, hosted by Justin Timberlake.
About Girls on the Run
Girls on the Run is a non-profit youth empowerment program that encourages preteen girls to develop self-respect and healthy lifestyles through running. The program addresses all aspects of girls' development, including their physical, emotional, mental and social well-being. Girls on the Run International is the parent organization of more than 160 Girls on the Run councils across the United States and Canada. For more information, visit the Girls on the Run International web site at http://www.girlsontherun.org.
Earn Your StripesTM
Kellogg’s Frosted Flakes® cereal created the Earn Your Stripes™ program to encourage kids to eat right, work hard and take their game to the next level. Earn Your Stripes™ encourages kids to believe in themselves to overcome challenges, accomplish their goals and be their very best. As part of the Earn Your Stripes™ program, Kellogg’s Frosted Flakes® is also a national sponsor of Girls on the Run, AYSO, Pop Warner Little Scholars and Little League Baseball.
About Kellogg Company
With 2007 sales of nearly $12 billion, Kellogg Company (NYSE:K) is the world’s leading producer of cereal and a leading producer of convenience foods, including cookies, crackers, toaster pastries, cereal bars, frozen waffles, and meat alternatives. The company’s brands include Kellogg’s, Keebler, Pop-Tarts, Eggo, Cheez-It, Club, Nutri-Grain, Rice Krispies, Special K, All-Bran, Mini-Wheats, Morningstar Farms, Famous Amos, Ready Crust and Kashi. Kellogg products are manufactured in 19 countries and marketed in more than 180 countries around the world. For more information, visit the Kellogg Company web site at www.kelloggcompany.com.
