Students from Patterson’s Certified Nursing Assistant Career Pathway program give free blood pressure screenings to their fellow students (Photo: Brennan Meeks, Patterson Press)

By Brennan Meeks

Patterson High School hosted a Health Fair in the Success Academy on Thursday, December 6th during homeroom period. Ms Diehl from the Health Corps, along with many students, teachers and staff members, organized this health fair for all the students and staff in this school. In keeping with Patterson’s Clipper ship mascot, the theme of this fair was “Sail into good health”. Ms. Diehl even dressed up like a pirate and told students how to find the “treasure of health”.

The Health Fair had a lot of stands and exhibits that related to health. Students got to sample a variety of healthy foods. Yoga classes were offered and Patterson’s Certified Nursing Assistant career pathway students offered free blood pressure screenings to their fellow students.

There were also visitors from other schools and organizations such as Great Kids Farm, a project that recruits Baltimore City Public Schools students to grow organic fruits and vegetables. “We grow berries and fruits and others things”, said Greg Strella, a representative from Great Kids Farm who was showing students how to grow a vegetable called sour sorrel.  Strella explained how the farm grows produce for Baltimore City Schools such as Carver, Edmondson, and Forest Park High Schools. “Students can grow the food, cook the food, and eat the food and they can go to our salad bar.” said Strella.

This Health Fair gave students an opportunity to learn about different ways to improve their health. It is another step on the road to making Patterson one of the healthiest school in the nation. Patterson hopes to have another health fair next school year.

(Photos: Brennan Meeks, Patterson Press)