Austin’s More Than Pink Wins MCEA Regional Project Award
Published at 1:43 p.m. on Wednesday November 1, 2023
- Jen Lawhead, center, of Austin Public Schools, is pictured with representatives from Lakeville, Minnetonka, Anoka-Hennepin, Big Lake, Rochester and Albany. Austin districts were recipients of the Statewide Project Award from the Minnesota Community Education Association. Austin was awarded for her program More Than Pink. Photo provided
Austin Public Schools’ More Than Pink program won a regional project award from the Minnesota Community Education Association.
The award is given to outstanding projects that have exemplified the concept of community education and will be presented to the Austin School Board by an MCEA representative at the December school board meeting.
Now in its 10th year, More Than Pink is a program designed for girls who have completed third through sixth grade to empower them and each other. This six-week summer program innovatively combines training for a 5K race with lessons that empower girls to celebrate their bodies, honor their voices, and embrace their gifts.
A More Than Pink day includes 60 minutes of physical activity, a Topic Talk lesson and group time. Topics include self-esteem, body image, nutrition, puberty, peer pressure and much more. Strong female role models from our community lead our topical discussions.
“More Than Pink has been an inspiring program in Austin for many years and has impacted hundreds of young women in our community,” says Jen Lawhead, Director of Community Education. “Our Community Education Coordinator, Teri Wermager, brought the program to Austin and was not only its creator, but its biggest champion. We are also grateful to the many amazing women in the Austin community who have volunteered their time and talent as guest speakers and fitness leaders for this program.
The goals of More Than Pink are: to help girls grow and develop mentally, physically and socially with the support of the community, to empower them to be true to themselves and to develop healthy habits fitness training that will benefit them throughout their lives. The program culminates with a 5K community event that celebrates the learning, training and community development that took place during the six-week program.
Austin’s Community Education program includes Austin Adult Learning, Community Education, Early Childhood Family Education, Early Childhood Preschool Programs, Kids Korner Program, and more.
