Seventh graders attend Youth Health Day
Coen Bible from River View Junior High is pictured working his way through the National Guard obstacle course set up at Youth Health Day on May 11 at Kids America. Josie Sellers | Beacon
COSHOCTON – Coen Bible found Youth Health Day to be fun and helpful.
“It’s been really entertaining and we’ve learned lessons on how to treat yourself and take care of yourself,” said the River View Junior High Student.
All seventh graders in Coshocton County were invited to Youth Health Day on May 11 at Kids America. The event is sponsored by the Coshocton County Family & Children First Council and Becky Beiter from the Coshocton County Health Department enjoys helping organize the day.
“It’s my baby, but it’s a team effort,” she said. “This all started a while ago when we got a little grant to do a young women’s health day. After that we thought we should do something to include the guys too and focus on health and safety. Seventh grade seemed like a good age that we could make a big impact.”
The day started off with a presentation by Dave Culbertson who lost his son to a drug overdose and started a group called Arms of an Angel to help prevent other families from having to deal with the same tragedy.
“He was a good presenter,” said Shania Weingarth, a student at Ridgewood Middle School. “I think we all paid attention because everyone was quiet.”
After hearing from Culbertson the students went to different sessions dealing with exercise safety, nutrition, self defense, depression, texting/sexting, stress management, learned about yoga, ATV safety, cardio drumming and competed on the obstacle course set up the Army National Guard.
“It was my first time doing yoga and I enjoyed it,” said Emily Bradford from River View Junior High.
The students also received some safety tips from Coshocton Regional Medical Center emergency room doctor Josef Lowe, M.D. and got to visit with Coshocton County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Dave Stone and his K-9 Henata.
“It’s been a good learning experience and a chance to hang out with other kids,” said Melany Wine from River View Junior High.
Gabe Culver is new to River View Junior High and said he enjoyed his first experience at Kids America while his classmate Logan Wolford said the activities they did were pretty fun.
The students were served lunch while at Youth Health Day and Frank Polen from the Buckeye Career Center wrapped up the event by delivering the closing remarks.
“We couldn’t do this without everybody coming together,” said Beiter. “They’ve all donated their time and energy to this and we especially appreciate all three school districts carving out time for the students to attend.”
She also appreciated Coshocton Regional Medical Center making it possible for every seventh grader to leave with a bicycle helmet.
“We felt doing this tied in well with the day’s theme of health and safety,” said Melissa Snider, director of operations, clinic administrator at the hospital. “Right around 400 helmets were donated by the hospital.”
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