BRHS students celebrate Health Day
BRHS junior Sophia Mansfield participates in Health Day by riding a stationary bike which blended healthy smoothies. BILL PEARSON/Boothbay Register
BRHS students compete in the “slow ride” contest April 8 as part of the daylong Health Day celebration. BILL PEARSON/Boothbay Register
Dylan Chryplewicz, right, won the Bikeman Fat Tire Bike Slow Race April 8 in BRHS's Health Day event. Also pictured, runner-up Thomas Hennessey. Courtesy of Larry Brown
BRHS junior Sophia Mansfield participates in Health Day by riding a stationary bike which blended healthy smoothies. BILL PEARSON/Boothbay Register
BRHS students compete in the “slow ride” contest April 8 as part of the daylong Health Day celebration. BILL PEARSON/Boothbay Register
Dylan Chryplewicz, right, won the Bikeman Fat Tire Bike Slow Race April 8 in BRHS's Health Day event. Also pictured, runner-up Thomas Hennessey. Courtesy of Larry BrownIn the battle to become known as the school's slowest biker, Dylan Chryplewicz won the honor. Chryplewicz posted the slowest time April 8, in Boothbay Regional High School's "Bikeman Fat Tire Bike Slow Race." Contestants raced mountain bikes in the school gymnasium. The race, testing one's control, balance and discipline, was one of about two dozen fun activities organized by the Student Health Advisory Committee. "The students race on fat tire mountain bikes in an exercise to test their riding skills. Anyone can pedal fast, but to maintain speed at a slower rate is difficult," said School Resource Officer Larry Brown.
Since school began last fall, a group of two dozen students ranging from freshmen to seniors have planned events throughout the school year promoting fun, healthy activities. These students comprise BRHS's Student Health Advisory Committee. Their yearlong work culminates in April with "Health Day," which exposes students to several health activities in the community.
Senior Eleanor Marshall is in her second term as Student Health Advisory Board president. She played a major part in planning last year's event and this year's. The board invited over 20 outside agencies as presenters on the fun activities. The 156 BRHS students had the choice of attending two morning sessions and two afternoon sessions. "Our board is in charge of scheduling and making sure speakers and students are all in the right location," Marshall said. "Students were asked to sign up for activities which interested them, and our goal is connecting the school and students to healthy activities."
The bulk of the board's work began over two months ago with contacting vendors as possible presenters. Mindy LaBrecque is the program coordinator of the student-based health center, which was created by a state grant. She was in charge of coordinating with outside agencies to take part in Health Day. "We have Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens helping us clean the grounds by raking near the tennis courts. Students will also join them," she said. "We also have numerous speakers explaining what they do, such as, Lincoln County Sheriff's Office's K-9 unit, Brian Blethen telling about the Coast Guard and there is rock painting by Hearty Roots."
Other scheduled events included a smoothie bike blender, a mystery tour's "spooky presentation," Healthy Lincoln County substance abuse and tobacco discussion, cavity-free future talk and several others.
BRHS teachers also participated in the discussion. Teachers presented on one topic before and one after lunch. These presentations included pickleball, yoga, cyber security, knitting, cooking appetizers, music, drawing, and ultimate frisbee.
The day is about promoting healthy activities, Marshall said. "Whether it's physical or mental. Anything that makes you happy or boosts your energy. Whether it's rock painting or pickleball, it's a great way to get students involved, and everybody has a great time."
