Wellness surveys have been happening in Utica for about 2 years. Although a new thing, the school takes it very seriously as mental health is not a topic that is taken lightly. The Wellness Club offers service hours for attending to get more students interested and in hopes of getting more students to attend. They will be meeting every first Monday of every month in room 156. The club is run by teachers Kelly Bronski and Alyssa Pouliot, along with the chosen students.
During their first meeting on Monday November 4, the selected committee talked about the club as a whole. They discussed their goals for the group and the whole school, why they started the club, and hopefully a bulletin board that they can start. They would continue sending out surveys and consider games and discussions to improve mental health around the school. They realize that school can be challenging at times and want to help relieve that stress.
Senior Yana Jani is part of the selected committee for the Wellness Club. She also runs the group’s social media to spread awareness about the club as well as mental health.
“Not all students take the time to do the wellness surveys,” Jani said. “I feel like taking a minute to reflect on your mental health and yourself helps to understand what you need.”
Instagram is used by most teenagers nowadays, and the Wellness Club plans to use this to their advantage. The Wellness Club plans to expand more through social media and the people that attend.
“I went for a service hour for National Honor Society and Key Club,” junior Inriki Polus said. “I ended up really enjoying the club so I will be going back next month.”
Offering service hours is the most appealing tactic since they are required for groups like the National Honor Society and Key Club.
“I told some of my friends about the club,” junior Delena Dickow said. “I know they would like the opportunity for a service hour every month.”
The Wellness Club will continue to run throughout the school year in hopes of helping students to manage their emotions. They hope to see more students attending meetings as the club keeps running.
