Van Horn Cadets Team With Fairmount to ‘Let Me Run’

Twice a week, two hours a day for the last seven weeks, Van Horn High School JROTC cadets have gone ‘step for step’ with several fourth- and fifth-grade runners from Fairmount Elementary, preparing them not only for the HP3 5K in Olathe’s Heritage Park Saturday, May 14, but preparing them for life after elementary school. This ‘near peer’ partnership between Van Horn’s JROTC and Fairmount’s Let Me Run (boys) and Girls on the Run programs is about a lot more than just exercise.

“Running is the conduit,” said retired Lt. Col. Michael Byrd, Van Horn’s senior JROTC instructor. “These ‘near peers’ talk to the Fairmount runners about good health and hygiene habits, anti-bullying, appreciation of diversity, respect, importance of exercise and fitness, proper nutrition, friendship and teamwork.” Byrd said the cadets, joined by Fairmount teacher/coaches Becca Jacob, Becka O’Neill and Allison Mallams, also talk to the fourth- and fifth-graders about the upcoming transition between elementary and middle school. “This program allows the cadets to exercise their leadership skills while acting as assistant coaches, mentors and role models,” he said.

Byrd identified three “selfless and dedicated cadet volunteer-leaders” as instrumental in the program’s success- Anthony Krantz, Christian Burch and Caleb Herrick. “They volunteered almost immediately to help with the program as ‘near peer’ assistant coaches,” Byrd said. “Two days a week, two hours a day for seven weeks? That’s a lot of volunteer time for a teenager.”

Cadets organized a 5K fun run for the Fairmount runners to prepare them for the HP3 5K. This is the fifth straight semester Van Horn’s JROTC has supported the program. Byrd said cadets refer to the Fairmount students as “future Falcons” and appreciated the opportunity to provide “meaningful volunteerism” in the community.

“I am so proud of them,” Byrd said of his cadet leaders. “Through this experience, they have grown as a team.”