Out of Class and Into Shape at Calhoun Health Fair

Asked why he volunteered to help organize the school's fourth annual Health Fair, Calhoun High School senior James Dragan joked, "It got me out of class." 

But with students these days spending most of their time out of class texting or tagging photos on Facebook, a break from a math book and into a world of health and fitness was exactly the point in the Calhoun gym last Friday. 

More than two dozen stations were set up with local "healthy" businesses offering their services, tips and even a few low-fat foods to students who filtered into the gym throughout the day.

"We just want to give kids a chance to see what's out there for them to do," said Calhoun health teacher Keri Cinelli, who began organizing this year's fair in October with a hand from student volunteers.  "Every booth has something for them to do." 

Senior Gerard Ligonde helped put together tables for the event.

"It teaches people that you can be healthy and have fun at the same time," Ligonde said of the Health Fair. 

Fellow senior Scott Castellano said he volunteered to be a fair organizer because "it's a good cause."

"The Health Fair is a big deal," he said.  "Even if you are not in it, everyone looks forward to it." 

Sensei Jeff Lovering, of Merrick's Goshinkan Dojo, which was recently featured in a Patch story, was at the school teaching students simple self-defense maneuvers.  Jessica Haber and Christian Giuliani from Merrick's Crave Deli were handing out bowls of Greek salad and their own Crave salad. 

Eric Passman, from Souper Fry, home to plenty of Calhoun students at lunch time, stood in the back corner of the gym behind a huge pot of sweet potato soup.

"It's one of the healthiest things you can eat," Passman said as he poured a cup for a student. 

Souper Fry has been at every Calhoun Health Fair since it started in 2007.

"Everytime we do it, we are happy to come back," Passman said.

The fair also featured performances by Calhoun's award-winning show choir, Crescendo, and the school's kickline.

The most popular attraction at the fair was by far the Rock Band station, which allowed students to jam on the popular video game.  Sure, they weren't sprinting around a track, but more than a few broke a sweat belting out songs or smashing away on the drums.

Nearly one-third of teenagers in New York are considered overweight, according to a 2007 survey by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, but just prodding teens to get off the couch and into the gym neglects the variety of healthy choices that surround them, Cinelli said. 

"There are many more options for them to think about staying fit and healthy," she said.  "It's not just about the gym."