NATCHITOCHES – Northwestern State University brought together campus and community organizations for its annual Wellness Fest on Tuesday, Nov. 10, offering students, faculty and staff opportunities to explore health resources, participate in wellness activities and learn about healthy lifestyle choices.
The event took place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Wellness, Recreation and Activities Center (WRAC) and was open to the public. Held as part of NSU’s Wellness Week, Nov. 9-12, the event featured educational information, demonstrations and interactive activities focused on different aspects of health and wellness.
Dr. Yonna Pasch, director of Student Affairs at NSU, said Wellness Fest reflects the university’s commitment to supporting students beyond the classroom.
“NSU hosts Wellness Fest each year because we believe student success is more than what happens in the classroom,” Pasch said. “Our students need to know that their physical, mental, emotional, financial, and overall well-being matters to us. Wellness Fest gives students an opportunity to learn about resources, connect with people who can support them, and discover simple ways to make healthy choices while they are here at NSU.”
Students representing academic programs and campus organizations shared information and provided hands-on activities to help attendees learn about healthy habits and available resources.
Abigail Coker, a senior health and exercise science major from New Orleans, works as a physical therapy technician at Wheat Physical Therapy & Wellness, an outpatient physical therapy clinic in Natchitoches. At Wellness Fest, Coker offered grip strength testing, an assessment that can provide insight into overall health.
“My goal is to share the different rehabilitation goals that we have for our patients and also provide a potential employment opportunity to students,” Coker said.
Jaida Kelly, a junior psychology major with a minor in biology from Shreveport, is president of NSU’s Addiction Studies Club. The organization offered an impairment simulation using goggles designed to demonstrate how alcohol can affect coordination and balance.
“It’s really just trying to convey that you are not supposed to drink, drive or do anything when you are impaired,” Kelly said. “I not only want the students to have fun but take away vital information to better help them in the future.”
Nutrition was another focus of the event. Ava Brown, a junior hospitality management and tourism major with a concentration in culinary arts and a minor in physical exercise, sport and leisure from Many, helped introduce attendees to healthy snack options, including homemade pumpkin energy bites and beef jerky.
“It’s very important for college students to develop healthy eating habits because our body is a temple, and so we should really care for what we put in our bodies,” Brown said.
Wellness Fest is organized annually by the university’s Wellness Fest Committee, bringing together university departments, student organizations and community partners to promote health awareness and provide information about services available throughout the year.