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Schools
Mulrennan Middle will host health fair
In addition to health checks, Saturday's event will include a silent auction and door prizes.
By ERNEST HOOPER
Published January 27, 2006
When Bill Howe came across a story in 2004 about the epidemic rise in childhood obesity, it struck a personal chord.
As a physical education teacher at Mulrennan Middle School in Valrico, Howe was all too familiar with health issues kids face today. He wanted to do more than have his kids run extra laps in PE class.
So Howe decided to put together a health fair at Mulrennan. After a successful event in 2005, the second annual Mulrennan Middle School Community Health Fair will be Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to noon. It should be bigger than last year's.
The number of participating health care providers has risen from 20 to 30 and will include South Florida Baptist Hospital and St. Joseph's Children's Hospital. In fact, the event has grown so large that the school will use both the cafeteria and the gym for the fair.
There also will be a new silent auction component benefiting the American Cancer Society, as well as door prizes, music, and free food and drinks.
Howe couldn't be more pleased.
"Students and adults tend to get a complacent feeling about their health," Howe said. "They look in the mirror and don't see their shape changing dramatically, but they need to be aware of what's happening on the outside as well as the inside."
The event is open to everyone in the community.
Tests will be available for glucose, body mass index, blood pressure, heart rate and hearing. There also will be spinal exams to check for scoliosis, and a podiatrist will be on hand to examine ankle and foot problems.
The fair will even have an expert to teach girls about wearing healthier makeup, and an air expert to talk about how to eliminate asthmatic and allergy problems in your home.
"It's just a way of reaching out to the community to offer information and inspiration on how to take better care of our bodies," said principal Quincenia Bell, who believes Mulrennan is the only middle school in the county to offer such a program.
[Last modified January 26, 2006, 09:02:05]
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