Kaitlyn Naples
The Health and Wellness Fair was last Tuesday in the Student Center Ballroom. Greg Johnson, a Southern graduate, said it was an excellent way of getting information.
“It is a great joy to see students giving out information to better peoples’ lifestyles,” said Johnson, a 1991 graduate. He said Southern did not have a Wellness Fair when he was attending.
The Health and Wellness Fair comes around every spring, and it is set up with tables of information on healthy lifestyles and nutrition, services provided on campus, vendors and more, according to Doreen Kordorsky, the registered dietician on campus.
Kordorsky said her role this year was to work with public health students who were working on projects to present at the fair and receive class credit.
“Some of the projects were identifying proper serving sizes, another was guessing how many calories are in fast foods,” she said. “Another table is focusing on healthy snacking, which isn’t as popular as the ice cream, but they have samples of vegetables and popcorn.”
Sophomore Jen Sawicki and junior Nicole Theriault are both public health majors who created a presentation on healthy snacking. They said they were hoping to spread the word about the healthier snack options for students that are available on campus. Sawicki said they focused on places on campus like the Bagel Wagon and student center.
“It’s a good way to show what is more convenient for college students,” said Theriault.
The nursing students set up tables offering information on cholesterols as well as cholesterol testing.
“We’re trying to figure out where people are getting cholesterol from, which foods are adding cholesterol,” said senior nursing major Lucy Foster. “We want to educate people on what foods to avoid as well as bring
awareness about cholesterol.”
Julia Burdacki and Kate Flanagan are also public health majors and created several tables with their class on texting while driving.
“We have been talking about texting while driving all semester,” said Flanagan, a junior.
She said her class’ presentation at the fair included information about texting while driving, statistics, information from the police and informational games for visitors to play.
“We are trying to bring awareness and educate about this problem,” she said. “People think it is such an insignificant issue but in reality it is more dangerous than drunk driving.”
Burdacki encouraged students to sign a contract that stated they will not text and drive.
“Students are aware I think, but they need encouragement or a reminder as to how dangerous it is,” Burdacki said.
Kordorsky said she hoped students would get a better understanding of what it means to have a healthy lifestyle.
“I hope students get a better picture about the many, many health and wellness-oriented services that we provide on campus,” she said, “from health services and wellness to the fitness center, and even outside vendors that students can use.”
Kordorsky also said she wanted to show students health and wellness can be fun.
“It’s not just boring, classroom type stuff,” she said. “It actually applies to their lives: eat healthier, be more physically fit.”
