It was a day focused on wellness, live music, community and fun at Tappan Zee High School last Friday as they hosted their annual Wellness Fair and TZ Palooza!
Every May, TZHS School Prevention Counselor Annie Scott organizes the Wellness Fair in recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month. “The goal of TZ’s Wellness Fair is to show students that there are many different paths to wellness. At the fair, students can connect with community organizations that offer amazing supports for mental and physical wellness. They also see how TZ’s clubs provide wonderful opportunities to bond over different activities —from culture to gaming and yoga—all while reducing isolation and helping students explore their passion. The positive interactions that take place allow students to reach out to familiar people and organizations if they are struggling,” said Scott.
In addition to the Wellness Fair, TZHS held their fourth Annual TZ Palooza. The outdoor music festival, founded in 2021 by senior Toby Stone as part of his Senior Seminar project, is led by both students and staff and has quickly become a beloved TZ tradition.
Throughout the morning, students had the opportunity to listen to their fellow classmates and teachers play live music as well as visit tables that provided resources to promote mental and physical health. The tables were hosted by local community partners and internal groups including the TZHS Counseling Department, the Arts and Crafts Marketing Club, Yoga Club, Leos Club, Japanese Culture Club, GSTA, French classes, the Multicultural Club and the TZHS PTSA. Experts from community organizations spoke with students including the Center for Safety and Change, the JCK Foundation, the CANDLE Center, the Rockland County Department of Mental Health, Stop DWI, Rockland Pride Center, NAMI, Alateen, Office of Mental Health, Rockland Council on Alcoholism and Other Drug Dependence and nutritionists from ShopRite.