Montgomery College’s Rockville PE building was bustling big-time on Wednesday, April 11, as MC played host to over 600 attendees (roughly 50 more than last year’s mark) at its annual Health and Wellness Fair. Thanks to the Health Enhancement, Exercise Science and Physical Education Department, students were free to peruse the various booths scattered throughout the PE building’s main gym.
The booths covered a wide array of health-related subjects, from diseases like Melanoma and Diabetes to programs like Combat 2 College. Students could even get tested for HIV. Each booth had at least one representative eager to inform passers-by of their respective causes. Even the Montgomery County Police Department was in attendance. “I want [students] to come ask me questions concerning anything about police work or law enforcement,” said Officer Michael Prather of the MCPD. “A lot of [students] just try to take the easy way out…rather than asking questions and using their brain, and I’m just trying to work that power within themselves.”
This was a popular theme throughout the fair, as just about every booth had a constant group of curious patrons conversing with the attendants. Some booths were busier than others, as some had activities set up to demonstrate exercises. Spectators gathered as Vera Abanda of the Personalized Health and Fitness booth led a small group in a lively Zumba exhibition. “Zumba is one of the greatest ways [to exercise] because you’re actually having fun while exercising,” said Abanda. “It’s a fitness project that was started by a guy called Alberto [Perez]…He was looking for a better way where he could spice up workouts. It’s a multicultural kind of workout.”
In addition to Vera’s Zumba demonstration, attendees also had the opportunity play Wii Sports, get schooled on things like acupuncture and body composition and participate in a raffle, which they were automatically entered into upon filling out a waiver at the fair’s entrance. The grand prizes were two $50 American Express gift cards donated by Pearson Education. Other prizes included water bottles and a new copy of “Abnormal Psychology” – also donated by Pearson, a dozen pedometers and canvas bags – donated by Cengage Learning – and new copies of “Healthy Cooking at Home with the Culunary Institute of America” and “How to Cook Everything Vegetarian” – donated by John Wiley & Sons.
For more information on the Health and Wellness fair and MC’s physical education classes, check out the Health Enhancement, Exercise Science and Physical Education here.
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