Tuscarawas Central Catholic students learn about wellness and local service opportunities at recent Health and Community Service Fair
Tuscarawas Central Catholic School students recently skipped out on their regular classes, but it was for a very good reason. The school hosted a Health and Community Service Fair on Thursday, Nov. 5, in the gymnasium. Twenty local health care agencies and service groups were on hand to encourage the teens to pursue healthy lifestyles and also donate their time and talents to local causes.“This is to get students involved with service projects outside the school,” said Lesley Teater, a sophomore. “I talked to the people at Little Theatre, and I also want to help out with the animal shelter. I thought the wellness aspect of martial arts was interesting, too.”
Lori Schreiner is the school nurse, and coordinated the event with input from principal Dave DiDonato. “We had a health fair two years ago. This is the first time we’ve added the community service component. Our kids are required to do volunteer or service hours…I am hoping that this helps them see service as well as career opportunities. Also, quite a few of our kids are talented artistically. They could help out with sets for Little Theatre or at Trumpet in the Land.”
Little Theatre veteran volunteer Steve Long was enthusiastically promoting the opportunities at the organization to students. “The main thing we’re trying to do is let the kids know there are sets, costumes, painting, concession stand workers, and many more behind the scenes volunteers. We have sign up forms here for those who are interested,” he explained.
Twin City Hospital’s project coordinator for the Healthy Community outreach program, Tiffany Poland, was busy showing students models exhibiting the effects of an unhealthy diet. A popular item for the teens was trying to maneuver around the room after donning a vest weighted down with a simulated 20 pounds of body fat. “The point is, a lot of times you don’t feel those pounds coming on,” said Poland. “You want them to see how that feels on their back, their knees, their joints. Over time, you don’t realize the effect.”
Sophomore Jackie Demuth donned a pair of special glasses that simulated the impact of intoxication while attempting to pass a mock sobriety test administered by Ohio State Trooper Yvette Renicker. The trooper’s goal was to emphasize the detrimental effects of drinking and driving.
“These make you really dizzy,” exclaimed Demuth, as her fellow students looked on. “You can’t see too well. It makes you think, that people actually get behind the wheel like that. It’s scary.”
Madison Bonamico was impressed with the variety of opportunities highlighted by the fair. “It’s interesting to have this at our school. There’s so much out there to do – even to go into as a career field,” said the 10th-grader. “I do a lot with Birthright (a local pregnancy support center). When I’m older, I want to do something in the health care field. Seeing the health care agencies here showed us what they do and gave me push to do that as a career.”
Other wellness-oriented agencies represented at the fair included the YMCA, Fit Youth Initiative, Lifebanc, the Red Cross, Union Hospital, Twin City Hospital, Riverside Manor, the Ohio State Highway Patrol, Karam’s Martial Arts, Dr. Pruni and Dr. Gatelano, Tuscarawas County Dairy Farmers, and the New Philadelphia City Health Department. Birthright, Harbor House, Compass, Cats ‘N’ Us, the Humane Society, Friends of the Homeless, Little Theatre, and Trumpet in the Land all offered service opportunities for students as well.
“I’ve just realized that there are many things I can do out there to help,” said Teater, as she motioned around the room at the many displays. “I never knew there were all these things to participate in before.”