Student care a priority at the health and wellness fair

Student health and wellness is a focus of attention at Wahkiakum High School and finding ways to help students advocate for themselves is at the forefront of the student care package from an academic setting. For the third year in a row the community came together to provide an education on healthy living and resources for students and what services are available to them at the Health and Wellness Fair hosted by the district on Tuesday, October 22.

Twelve booths were on display for high school students, offering a round robin opportunity to gather information and ask questions. Groups included the Community Integrated Health Services (CIHS) WISE team, Wahkiakum Health and Human Service, SNAP food service, Wahkiakum Coalition Network, School Nurse Sarah Cortez, active Marine and alumni Zach Carlson, the Charlotte House, Stacey Wynn, the public health nurse with Community Health Care and the Wahkiakum Fire Department and Emergency Services.

Topics presented to students included substance use and prevention, healthy eating, and nutrition resources. Also included were physical conditioning and healthy body choices by local Marine, Zach Carlson. Strategies to address bullying and harassment as well as maintaining healthy relationships were also provided. Lastly, students attended a fire safety and CPR demonstration.

The event was organized by Nikita Hardin-Mendez, the student assistant professional at Wahkiakum High, with support from Principal Stephanie Leitz and students Malia Scott and Jasmin LaRuche. It started three years ago in the student prevention club, (AWWA) so students could reach out, building acceptanceand and meet personal needs.

"Nikita does an exceptional job building strong relationships with students.By organizing this event, students are able to see that Nikita has additional information and connections here locally that can support students if needed. Students are also given the opportunity to see various careers and learn about future opportunities. It is a great event!" shared Principal Leitz on the value of the fair and work that goes into this important event.

Hardin shared that the event builds rapport with students and community groups as it connects students to often needed resources they are unsure of how to find. Students not only ask questions, but they also meet people that help them traverse the waters of adolescence and are showered with swag from the agencies with reminders of the care and compassion they are surrounded by in our local community.

"The most impactful part of this is walking away feeling like they kind of know who they could go to if they need help or if they need something" Hardin-Mendez reflected. As the student assistant professional, Mrs. Mendez specializes in helping students be successful along with protective factors to having coping skills. She hopes to provide an avenue for students to know how to take care of themselves and be positive.

The efforts have been successful and were nationally awarded the AWWA prevention activity group, a nationally recognized award for the most impactful youth program in 2022. Locally the program reaches 150 students. The Health and Wellness Fair is attended by classroom speakers during the year.

In addition, the middle school has an advocacy group called TRED to promote positive lifestyles every day. The groups are honoring a Red Ribbon Day and are promoting thankfulness with a "new way new things" gratitude tree in the coming weeks.