Nursing Student Alicia Christian Leads Middle School Health Fair

2011 Nov 21

According to the National Center for Children in Poverty, adolescents from low-income families often lack access to health insurance or preventive care, yet they are vulnerable to health-related issues such as poor nutrition and substance use. This is true for many of the students at Glenwood Leadership Academy, a Title I school on the south side of Evansville, Indiana, that enrolls students in kindergarten through eighth grade.

To share vital health information with GLA middle schoolers, 15 University of Evansville nursing students, including Alicia Christian of Evansville, held a health and wellness fair as their senior project. Christian is a graduate of Harrison High School.

The fair, titled "Step It Up Bullpups," took place after school on Thursday, November 17 in GLA's gymnasium.

Each year, UE's senior nursing students work with community leaders on a health promotion project. This year, in collaboration with GLA, the 2012 nursing class identified nutrition, bullying, hygiene, safety, drug awareness, and self-confidence as the most important topics affecting GLA middle-school students.

"The health fair addressed these concerns, empowering kids to handle real issues that impact their health," said Guy Goodness, president of UE's Senior Nursing Organization. "The goal was to provide positive interaction with the kids through teaching, demonstrations, and activities as a means to effectively reach them as they transition into high school."

At booths throughout the gym, UE nursing students shared health information and gave away items such as jump ropes, water bottles, and Frisbees to encourage physical activity. Healthy snacks were also on hand for the GLA students.

"We know that good nutrition and physical fitness positively affect student achievement; moreover, we know that for lifetime health and wellness, we need to reinforce the importance of good eating and regular exercise," said Tammy Dexter, principal of Glenwood Leadership Academy. "The better habits students form now, the more likely they are to continue these behaviors in the future."

"We are also very excited about this opportunity to partner with students from the University of Evansville," Dexter added. "We believe the connections our middle school students make with college-age mentors are so important, both to help our kids hear the message of healthy living from young people and to gain exposure to college students - and begin to see a college education in their own future."