Runners during Friday’s Positive Addiction Run at St. Charles Catholic School.
Richard Parrish | The Lima News
LIMA — “The purpose of our life is to find our gifts. The meaning of our life is to give them away.”
That was the parting message to students from St. Charles, St. Gerard, St. Rose and Lima Central Catholic students Friday from Julie Wilkes, an author, business owner and motivational speaker who shared her story of overcoming what seemed to be impossible odds.
Speaking at the end of the 40th annual Positive Addiction Week in Lima Catholic schools, Wilkes shared the story of how, despite being born with a heart condition so severe that she was pronounced dead at birth, she was able to overcome one bad prognosis after another to where she now owns a fitness and yoga studio in Grandview Heights and has traveled throughout the world as a motivational speaker and life coach. She encouraged the students spanning fifth grade through 12th grade to find activities and develop attitudes that can help them avoid pitfalls and make the most of the life they have been given.
“You can tell that the kids are really focused on taking care of each other and themselves and focusing on the good things they can do to live life in a happy way,” Wilkes said. “They were really connected to the message, I think, and I think it’s because of the great teaching and programs that have happened with the Positive Addiction campaign.”
Culminating in what has become the traditional 5K or one-mile run or walk, Positive Addiction Week has always been intended to help students navigate their way through all this time in their lives, and that work is even more important in today’s age of social media, according to St. Charles physical education teacher Dylon Webb.
“The fundamentals are still the same as far as promoting healthy, positive things for them to chase after, but with the rise of social media, particularly TikTok, Instagram and all that junk, these kids are so exposed to stuff we never had to worry about. That was a bit challenging, trying to get a firsthand view of what these kids are up against.”
In helping students prepare for the 5K run, Webb was able to see firsthand how developing that positive mindset helped students achieve their goals, including the 5K run itself.
“Our sixth-graders, it’s their first year doing the 5K, because last year was fifth grade, and they just did the one-mile,” he said. “It’s funny because when we’re starting off, we started them off relatively easy at a half-mile one week and then a mile, and then a mile and a half, and then two. But those first few weeks, they were bucking it pretty hard. But it’s interesting because by the end of it, you would think they’d be bucking it harder, but at that point, their bodies are used to it and they know how fun and exciting it will be.”
POSITIVE ADDICTION RACE RESULTS
ST. CHARLES
8th Grade
Boys
1. Michael Quatman
2. JJ Declercq
3. Lausen Flores
Girls
1. Tatum M.
2. Lucy B.
3. Annika Niemeyer
7th Grade
Boys
1. Evan Brinkman
2. Chase Farrington
3. Brady Jacobs
Girls
1. Ella Gronas
2. Bella Wilson
3. Gracie Manson
6th Grade
Boys
1. Hayden Nolte
2. Gracsen Stover
3. Erik Brock
Girls
1. Braylie Bensinger
2. Addy Bauldauf
3. Gwen Wolfecale
ST. GERARD
8th Grade
Boys
1. Bractyn Jones
2 .Preston Spivey
3. Billy Salyers
Girls
1. Emiley Martin
2. Stephanie Caballero
3. Alaina Gaberdiel
7th Grade
Boys
1. Cade Dahill
2. Carter Lester
3. Cameron Werling
Girls
1. Claire Butler
2. Brielle Bourk
3. Liberty Basham
6th Grade
Boys
1. Cori’yon Haithcox
2. Zavion Collins
3. Luke Salyers
Girls
1. Delilah Gaines-Romick
2. Gianna Little
3. Mactzil Cortes
5th Grade
Boys
1. Sebastian Murphy
2. Josiah Manley
3. Kamaree Woodley
Girls
1. CaVaeyah Haithcox
2. Kendra Hatcher
3. Akirra Endicott
ST. ROSE
8th Grade
Boys
1. Te’Andre Terry
2. Dominic McKee
Girls
1. Alayna Mitchell
2. Anna Davisson
3. Anaysia Pitts
7th Grade
Boys
1. Eri’Rion Irons
2. Za’Rion Irons
3. Mark Knotts
Girls
1. Ja’Kajiah Cooper
2. Lilly Farmer
3. Za’Mya Parsons
6th Grade
Boys
1. Donavin Rigali
2. Malachi Welch
3. Baron Howell
Girls
1. Aniya Irons
2. Kardi’A Knight
3. Aiyana Suarez
