SSG John Herriman of the Vermont National Guard Counter Drug Task Force are students sophomore James Donahue wearing the fatal vision goggles and senior Jon Marcotte. Photo courtesy Northfield High School Northfield High School held its 2nd Annual Wellness Day last week.

Wellness Day, a morning program, is an opportunity for students to attend workshops they have chosen in advance about health, wellness, and substance abuse education and prevention.

Wellness Day’s goal is to provide students with information so they can become more informed about the experiences they face or may face.

This program specifically happens with the upcoming prom and graduation in mind. Speakers donate their time to come and participate in this program.

The speakers this year were; SSG. John A. Herriman, Youth Services Coordinator from the Vermont National Guard Counter Drug Task Force who presented an Alcohol Presentation with fatal vision goggles.

Detective Gregg Jager from the Chittenden Unit for Special Investigations presented a workshop entitled “The Internet, the Law and You.”

Carol L. Rose, Executive Director of the Vermont Safety Education Center presented a workshop called “Drive Safe, Drive Smart.”

Amy Herrick, Education & Outreach Coordinator and Stephen McArthur, Violence Prevention Educator; both from the Battered Women’s Services and Shelter presented on “Healthy Relationships.”

Roxanne Benson, Executive Director of Greater Northfield Coalition Council presented an interactive workshop entitled “Drug Jeopardy” and utilized the school’s statistics from the 2009 Youth Risk Behavior Survey.

Meighan Beech-Hanson presented a workshop of her own personal experience from the Vermont Victim Impact Panel. Jim Carter presented a workshop regarding his own personal experience named, “The Greatest Gift You Can Give.”

Motivational speaker John Murphy wrapped up the morning by sharing his own personal experience in a grant-funded program entitled “Reaching Forward” to all the high school students in the auditorium.

At the end of this presentation, John received a standing ovation from the students and staff present.

During the lunches the students were able to enjoy the football toss, soccer kick, and baseball throw activities provided by the Vermont Army National Guard.

Also, available to the students was the RV of information provided by Jennifer Fisher, Education Specialist, from the Vermont Department of Liquor Control.