Health & Fitness Expo adds to Classic weekend

Author: Tammy Lane • First Posted: Friday, April 22, 2011

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At the expo, Dorcas Gill's first stop was the fire department's resource table, where her daughter heard some safety reminders.

At the expo, Dorcas Gill's first stop was the fire department's resource table, where her daughter heard some safety reminders.

At the expo, Dorcas Gill's first stop was the fire department's resource table, where her daughter heard some safety reminders.Nursing students from Midway College provided information about obesity, hearing loss, sun safety, pregnancy prevention and other topics.The nursing students also talked with Bryan Station teens about the risks of alcohol and drug abuse, noting that some energy drinks on the market aren't clearly labeled.Advanced culinary students at BSHS prepared pasta dinners Thursday night as part of the fundraiser.The school's green team was among student clubs set up at the expo.

Bryan Station High School’s Defender Classic 5K, which started out nearly 10 years ago as a band fundraiser, has grown into a schoolwide and community-oriented event.

New for 2011 is the noncompetitive 1½-mile Fun Walk, and back for a second year is the Defender Health & Fitness Expo.

Dorcas Gill said her daughter, Gabrielle, will participate in the Fun Walk while she tackles the full route.

“Two weeks ago during spring break, she rode her bike as I walked my four miles to prepare for the race,” Gill said. “You have to practice before you can be better. That’s one thing we’re trying to teach her. And if you’re consistent, it’ll pay off in the end.”

Gill and Gabrielle, a second-grader at Lansdowne Elementary, picked up their race packets at Thursday’s expo, where their first stop was the fire department’s safety tips booth.

Sabina Massey, the Youth Services Center director at Bryan Station High, noted that the expo coincided with Defender Night, when families can review students’ report cards with their teachers.

“We wanted to increase the amount of participation and have a tie-in that it’s always the same week as grade pick-up. So parents can come in and meet with teachers and walk through the expo tables,” she said.

Some two dozen resource tables ranged from Bluegrass PRIDE, the Police Activities League and Midway College nursing students to Bryan Station school clubs and sports teams. The expo will also be set up Saturday morning during the 5K Run/Walk.

“It’s just different things on what we can do to improve our lives through physical and mental health. Promoting healthy living is a good focus to take,” Massey said. “We want kids to get that they’re an important part of the community, and there are lots of wellness resources and facilities out there.”

If you go
Defender Health & Fitness Expo
  • When: 7 to 11 a.m. Saturday April 23
  • Where: Bryan Station High School, 201 Eastin Road
  • Contact: Sabina Massey, Youth Services Center director, (859) 381-3321
Defender Classic 5K Run/Walk

Race-day registration is open from 7 to 8 a.m.