Students got a chance to have fun, listen to music and learn about their health at Wednesday’s Well-a-palooza in recognition of Public Health Week and the National Alcohol Screening Day.
This was the most interactive year for the sixth annual event so far, said Kim Bushore-Maki, coordinator of outreach for ETSU’s Counseling Center.
“We decided to make it fun,” she said. “We’ve had at least 300 people come by.”
Booths were set up for students to learn about HIV, safe sex, sugar intake, alcohol and drug abuse, drunk driving, violence prevention and tobacco prevention.
Sugar intake is one hidden way that food can cause health problems, said Christen Minnich, a volunteer from the Washington County Health Department.
Minnich was at the event to share information about sugar intake, STD’s, artery-clogging, and the importance of hand-washing.
A woman walks up to Munnich’s booth and says, “This is scary,” looking at the four tablespoons of sugar that is present in every seven sticks of gum.
“It’s good to share information about this stuff,” Minnich said, “People don’t realize it’s got so much sugar in it.”
Students were also offered door prizes from the disc jockey, HIV tests, alcohol screenings, blood pressure checks, outdoor games, make-up and condoms. As an incentive for their involvement, students got a free T-shirt from the sponsors for visiting five booths.
One of the most beneficial tables for participants was the State of Tennessee Department of Health HIV prevention tent.
At that booth, students could spend two minutes of their time to get a free HIV test. Students can call back in one week to receive their test results over the phone.
“It is very important to know your status,” said Gary B. Range, State of Tennessee volunteer who prepared the tests.
ETSU junior Hollie Hill was screened Wednesday with two of her friends. “I think it’s a great idea to screen for HIV because it provides an opportunity for people who might not otherwise get the opportunity to be screened,” Hill said.
“Being in college – some people are promiscuous,” she said, “You really have to find out for yourself.”
Booths were set up by organizations to educate students and participants on many different topics. The ETSU Women’s Resource Center, the Washington County Health Department, and HOPE for Tennessee volunteered at the fair.
The Student Health Clinic, Athletic Alcohol Awareness Task Force, 606 and Department of Public Health sponsored the event. Funville supplied the DJ, giant inflatables and a gyroscope.

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