Elmwood Health and Wellness Expo 2019

Article and photos by Jared Story

​What do haircuts, hip hop dance, and healthy cooking have in common? Well, they’re all happening at Elmwood High School. 

Elmwood hosted its third annual Health & Wellness Expo on May 3. The all-day event kicked off with a keynote speech by Manitoba New Democratic Party leader Wab Kinew and featured a variety of breakout sessions promoting healthiness and happiness.

Elmwood phys-ed teacher Nancy Baker founded the expo, having organized a similar event when she worked at St. John’s High School.   

“I think it’s important to give the kids a variety of things outside what they’d normally get in their phys-ed and health classes,” Baker says.

Student teacher Erin Mychasiw works on Laysar’s cuticles during the self-care session.

“We cover totally different things that they’re not normally doing. We’ve got Omnikin (a team sport with a giant ball), we’ve got Spikeball (a volleyball-like sport), we’ve got a food session, and we’ve got the Bear Clan Patrol here. We’re giving students a variety of things they can try out that focus on different aspects of their health and wellness.”

Baker believes in a multi-faceted method to health and wellness. She said Kinew illustrated that holistic approach in his speech.

“He talked about how he has to make sure that everyday he gets some exercise and that he gets enough sleep and eats properly. Those things together will create health and wellness,” Baker says.

“The main thing he talked about was having a positive outlook. Not everything will always work out, but its important to be resilient and have that positive outlook on life.”