Arcadia High School (AHS) provided fun and unique activities for students from Apr. 20 to 24 to celebrate Wellness Week. Each day, two different groups–both clubs and school organizations–worked together to host unique activities in the Rally Court.
On Monday, fruit cups with grapes, strawberries, and other fruits were given out to students who stopped by. Healthy Eating Initiative promoted mindful eating with their lunch activity and students were happy to receive the snack.
Alongside the Healthy Eating Initiative was Girl Up. The club ran a mood board activity where students could cut and paste images from magazines to create a mood board of their choice. They also provided sticky notes to answer prompts if students felt like opting for different activity.
“The main thing for us is to get our club out there, do a lot of outreach, see a lot of new faces and potential members, and also just to host a fun event for people to enjoy at our school,” said Girl Up Secretary junior Jennifer Xu.
On Tuesday, Wellness Committee set up an Easter Egg Hunt for students to participate in. Eggs were hidden around campus; when found, they could be exchanged for candy at the Rally Court. With them, the Student Library Advisory Committee (SLAC) helped students create bookmarks with paper, markers, and stickers.
“We want to spread wellness and who we are as SLAC. We’re making bookmarks because we’re associated with the library, and we want people to know who we are,” freshman Shresta Andem said. “We organize books, check out chromebooks, and [create] the library bulletin.”
The next day brought Well Wishes Wednesday, run by The Arcadia Quill. Students could stop by to write down affirmations or manifestations with quill pens. Art Club hosted coaster painting, providing wooden coasters and all the supplies needed to create your own art.
“It’s just a fun little activity that could make someone feel better. Maybe today they’re having a bad day and they could stop by and make a coaster, and while feeling better and creating something, they can have a free coaster too,” said Art Club Secretary sophomore Cindy Moe.
On Thursday, Link Crew gave out mini Pop-Its for stress relief and Neuroscience and Psychology Club brought rocks for students to paint. Rock painting let the students’ creativity roam free with acrylic paint and paint markers.
“The rock painting activity is to promote wellness and also bring about a sense of calm amidst pre-AP season, and ensure that everybody takes a moment to wind down, relax, and live life a little slower,” Neuroscience and Psychology Club Co-President junior Sydney Chau said.
The week concluded with Origami Club guiding students through making origami tulips alongside The Writer’s Den where students could write letters to their future selves. Origami Club provided paper and instructions to make tulips that will last forever. The Writer’s Den encouraged self-reflection and goal setting with their activity.
“We hope to create a safe space on campus for [anyone] who [is] looking to write or express themselves better,“ The Writer’s Den Secretary sophomore Chloe Sioeng said. “Every week, we do writing prompts to get inspiration flowing. We also have The Alias Magazine where we publish students at [AHS] and their work.”
Wellness Week was full of creative, calming activities for AHS students to enjoy and participate in at their leisure. Each organization brought their own take on a de-stressing activity and community bonding in hopes that they can help their peers remain calm as they go into AP season.
Photo Courtesy of Andrea Campos-Costanzo
