Wonders of wellness

Published 04.17.2023

Photos by Cindy Davis Meixel, writer/photo editor

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    Juggling, crocheting, flower arranging, hatchet throwing and snake petting were among the new features at the second annual Wildcat Wellness Fair.

    With the theme “Be Open to Change,” the engaging event definitely delivered on encouraging students to “try something different,” “step outside your comfort zone” and “think outside the box” – all sub-themes of the recent gathering in the Bush Campus Center.

    Crafting beaded bracelets in the CC TV Lounge are Lauren A. Hergert, business administration, and Tristan J. Current, forest technology. Both are Wildcat athletes – volleyball for Hergert and baseball for Current. In the background, Karen R. Ruhl, part-time horticulture faculty, arranges flowers.
    Crafting beaded bracelets in the CC TV Lounge are Lauren A. Hergert, business administration, and Tristan J. Current, forest technology. Both are Wildcat athletes – volleyball for Hergert and baseball for Current. In the background, Karen R. Ruhl, part-time horticulture faculty, arranges flowers.

    With nearly 35 tables presenting different activities, the mental health fair offered ample options for trying new approaches to decreasing stress and anxiety and acquiring strategies for making positive changes. Displays were set up in the CC lobby, hallway and TV Lounge.
     
    Hosted by the Clinical Psychology (PSY335) class, Counseling Services and Student Engagement, the healthy happening featured a wide range of student organizations and college services. A few campus celebrities also lent a hand (and a paw or two): President Michael J. Reed and Nate Woods Jr., special assistant to the president for inclusion transformation, enjoyed teaching participants to juggle, while wellness dogs Winnie and Indy offered up many a “golden” opportunity for hands-on therapy.

    “President Mike” (left) and Woods enjoy juggling a wide range of campus assignments.
    “President Mike” (left) and Woods enjoy juggling a wide range of campus assignments.
    Woods encourages Monique C. Anderson-Parker, a human services & restorative justice student, as she tries her hand at juggling scarves.
    Woods encourages Monique C. Anderson-Parker, a human services & restorative justice student, as she tries her hand at juggling scarves.
    Nothing says “wellness” like “Winnie!"
    Nothing says “wellness” like “Winnie!"
    Reed and Woods delight in the juggling table’s array of props.
    Reed and Woods delight in the juggling table’s array of props.
    Hands of health
    Hands of health
    Accustomed to juggling soccer balls, Wildcat goalkeeper Nichole R. Lichtinger tries her hand at a smaller task. She’s an emergency management & homeland security student.
    Accustomed to juggling soccer balls, Wildcat goalkeeper Nichole R. Lichtinger tries her hand at a smaller task. She’s an emergency management & homeland security student.
    A table displays Ramadan lanterns, a symbol of hope and “light in the darkness.”
    A table displays Ramadan lanterns, a symbol of hope and “light in the darkness.”
    Radiating joy, Hayden Lester, business management, accepts a bouquet as forest technology student Kylie N. Butler adds a finishing touch.
    Radiating joy, Hayden Lester, business management, accepts a bouquet as forest technology student Kylie N. Butler adds a finishing touch.
    Jaycie M. Loud, assistant director of student engagement, was on hand to share a survey on a substance-free living community option.
    Jaycie M. Loud, assistant director of student engagement, was on hand to share a survey on a substance-free living community option.
    At a Dining Service table, the eye-appealing power of papaya and other healthy eats
    At a Dining Service table, the eye-appealing power of papaya and other healthy eats
    At one of six tables staffed by PSY335 students, graphic design student Emily M. Scaife hands in a worksheet she completed focused on avoiding end-of-semester burnout. (Focused on a holistic approach to clinical mental health, the class introduces students to the way clinical psychologists conceptualize, assess, diagnose, treat, and prevent mental and physical health issues.)
    At one of six tables staffed by PSY335 students, graphic design student Emily M. Scaife hands in a worksheet she completed focused on avoiding end-of-semester burnout. (Focused on a holistic approach to clinical mental health, the class introduces students to the way clinical psychologists conceptualize, assess, diagnose, treat, and prevent mental and physical health issues.)
    Crocheting her way to calmness is Khamil George, automotive technology management: automotive technology concentration.
    Crocheting her way to calmness is Khamil George, automotive technology management: automotive technology concentration.
    Seeking (and finding) Serenity: Serenity Hamlin, human services & restorative justice, writes her worries on a balloon to be released.
    Seeking (and finding) Serenity: Serenity Hamlin, human services & restorative justice, writes her worries on a balloon to be released.
    Family photo! Winnie (left) and Indy pose with their people: Tanya and Drew Potts. Drew is an assistant professor of civil engineering technology.
    Family photo! Winnie (left) and Indy pose with their people: Tanya and Drew Potts. Drew is an assistant professor of civil engineering technology.
    Renee Y. Bitler, assistant to college relations, discusses smart-shopping consumer goals with Raul A. Carabajal, human services & restorative justice.
    Renee Y. Bitler, assistant to college relations, discusses smart-shopping consumer goals with Raul A. Carabajal, human services & restorative justice.
    We can all use more of those!
    We can all use more of those!
    At the Black Student Union display, Chyanna L. Galagarza invites students to sign up for stress-relieving giveaways. Galagarza is a human services & restorative justice student.
    At the Black Student Union display, Chyanna L. Galagarza invites students to sign up for stress-relieving giveaways. Galagarza is a human services & restorative justice student.
    Armed with an “animal ambassador” of the reptilian kind, Holly Rennell, animal educator with State College-based Exotic Edventures, helps students step outside their comfort zones.
    Armed with an “animal ambassador” of the reptilian kind, Holly Rennell, animal educator with State College-based Exotic Edventures, helps students step outside their comfort zones.
    Laughter is the best medicine! Students visit an anger management table offered by PSY335 students.
    Laughter is the best medicine! Students visit an anger management table offered by PSY335 students.
    Colorful beads allow for creative exploration.
    Colorful beads allow for creative exploration.
    A decidedly adorable Exotic Edventures animal ambassador: Wally, a 7-year-old lionhead mix rabbit
    A decidedly adorable Exotic Edventures animal ambassador: Wally, a 7-year-old lionhead mix rabbit
    Explaining the link between ZZZs and GPAs, Kaysey L. Beury, LEAP (and sleep!) adviser, offers bedtime solutions.
    Explaining the link between ZZZs and GPAs, Kaysey L. Beury, LEAP (and sleep!) adviser, offers bedtime solutions.
    Indy makes a memorable bond with Jake G. Young, an applied technology studies student (and 2021 graduate in metal fabrication technology).
    Indy makes a memorable bond with Jake G. Young, an applied technology studies student (and 2021 graduate in metal fabrication technology).
    Strike a pose! Kae A. Little, human services & restorative justice, snaps a fun photo of counselor (and occasional dragonslayer) Michael S. DiPalma at the fantasy photo backdrop.
    Strike a pose! Kae A. Little, human services & restorative justice, snaps a fun photo of counselor (and occasional dragonslayer) Michael S. DiPalma at the fantasy photo backdrop.
    Peace and love shorts exuberantly blend with an ax from The Hatchet House as students relish various ways to release their stress. Other options outside the CC included unicycles, pogo sticks and yoga.
    Peace and love shorts exuberantly blend with an ax from The Hatchet House as students relish various ways to release their stress. Other options outside the CC included unicycles, pogo sticks and yoga.

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