RUMFORD — Peer Helpers at Mountain Valley High School is a student-run improvement group. According to Peer Helpers president Katie Billings, “We are basically dedicated to improving the community and the school.”

So when principal Matt Gilbert needed a group to organize a school-wide wellness day, he turned to Peer Helpers. “I presented them with an opportunity to make a difference for their peers and, true to form, they created and organized a fantastic event,” Gilbert said.

The plans began in September. “First, we looked at the definition of wellness,” said Billings. “We realized that it had many components – nutrition, mental health, sexual health, stress and relaxation and physical activity. Then we brainstormed people who might help us with each category.”

Kristen Provencher, health teacher and Peer Helpers adviser, was a huge help with connections. “She had a lot of contacts through conventions she attended and from her time as a UMF student,” Billings said.

Peer Helper Ellie Hall explained an important consideration for Wellness Day. “We wanted to keep it very positive. We avoided scare tactics like how you could die while texting and driving. Instead, we focused more about health. I think we did a good job with that.”

Billings agreed, “People where surprised how fun it was. We stayed away from negatives like bad relationships. We focused on positive aspects of relationships like what do you bring to a relationship. Rather than what to avoid eating, what can you have to eat that’s good for you and tastes good.”

The list of presenters included Kathy Sutton, school health coordinator for RSU 10; Kate Chiasson, nutrition educator for the University of Maine Cooperative Extension; Tony Solis, fitness specialist for State of Maine Wellness Program; Tricia Thomas and Paige Hammond, Zumba instructors from the UMF Fitness and Recreation Center; Rick Gauvin, school counselor; Becky Skibitsky and Cindrie Cormier, Eleven Circles; Kelsey Arsenault and Renee Brown, UMF students majoring in community health education; Amanda Hilton, reproductive specialist from Western Maine Community Action; Todd Papiano, MVHS physical education teacher; and Diane Gallagher with student members,Voices Committed to Change.

Once the presenters were secured, the logistics of the day became the next focus. “The week before wellness day, we stayed after for two hours and figured out the schedule – who was going to be presenting where and what group of kids would be there. The last couple of days were stressful,” said Hall.

Preparations the day of the event were also critical. Abbey Pinkham explained, “I had to get chairs from other rooms. We were each in control of one room. I stayed with group six to make sure they knew where they were going. We worked together to make a schedule to fit every group to make sure they saw as may presenters as possible. We had to make sure groups were not too small or too large.”

The results of the planning and organizing were a day of inspirational messages about wellness. “My message is about celebrating life!” said Kawika Thompson, keynote speaker who is the system-wide manager of health improvement at the University of Maine.

At the end of the day, Gilbert said, “The Peer Helpers created a great event with a powerful message about celebrating life and enjoying wellness.”

Peer Helpers include Kaitlin Armstrong, Andrea Benya, Katie Billings, Brena Brown, Sam Cummings, Will Cunningham, Abby Day, Lexi Fryover, Stephanie Garcia, Ari Glover, Addy Gorham, Ellie Hall, Hannah LaPointe, Rebecca Maifeld, Abbey Pinkham, Kirstin Ridge, Vanessa Swett, Noah Tanguay-Collins, Heather Theriault and Cam Welch.

Copy the Story Link