Smith Elementary School students focused on their personal health Jan. 22 during the school's second annual Healthy Fair. The various interactive activities introduced by teachers and community volunteers left the students with much anticipation for next year's event.

"What was absolutely neat about this year is that -- because we had last year's experiences as our maiden voyage -- we had the kids from Wetzel be part of it. It was absolutely phenomenal to see success happen for two consecutive years," said Sue Morin, Smith Elementary School Principal.

The fair was a community effort designed to help children learn the importance of a healthy lifestyle. It focused on interactive and cardiovascular activities that help children stay healthy, well, and in tune with the importance of lifelong wellness.

The majority of the activities were led by community members who specialize in specific health related areas.

The Performance Triad, for example, was hosted by members from the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center. This session addressed the importance of sleep, activity and nutrition. "To have that ripple affect reach us from down the autobahn is just inspiring for. We want to thank all the volunteers for their unequivocal support." said Morin.

Other volunteers kept children busy and focused on their health throughout the day as they moved from one session to the next.

Basic first aid was presented by Jon Glenn of the Baumholder American Red Cross.

The PTO Executive Board focused on easy-to-make healthy snacks, while members of the U.S Army Garrison Rheinland-Pfalz, Baumholder Military Community, basketball team and coach Theodus Green put the children through numerous basketball drills. Start smart golf sessions were offered by Eloy Campus from Baumholder's Child, Youth and Schools Services Sports.

There was circuit training by Jesse Dayton, Baumholder fitness coordinator; soccer by Mallory Burns and Mike Kornacki from Baumholder's Child, Youth and Schools Services; and stress management by Reina Encio, a military family life consultant.

Heather Majorwitz, the school's information specialist and Vickie Fergerson, educational technologist, showed the children where to find interactive healthy websites.

Morin also participated by taking the children out to the snow-covered playground and showed them outdoor games to play at home.

Other activities included In-Yoga classes, and Zumba, led by Kristen Daza-Taylor, and Kimberly Barnes, professional instructors from Family, Morale, Welfare and Recreation Sports and Fitness.

"The kids went home exhausted. Their smiles were wide as could be and they just can't wait for next year's Healthy Fair," said Morin.