April 23, 2025—Osborne High School recently held its first-ever Health and Wellness Fair, which brought together health professionals, fitness experts, and wellness advocates from across the community, all thanks to the vision and leadership of senior Emma Wood.

"The idea for the event came from my passion for helping others live healthier, more balanced lives," Emma said. "I wanted to create something that brought awareness to not only physical health, but also mental and emotional well-being—especially since those areas often get overlooked in school settings and I wanted to create a fun and engaging way to promote healthy habits among students and staff. After talking with a few teachers and mentors, I realized there was a real need and interest, and from there, the idea for the fair was born!"

Emma was already heavily involved in many clubs at Osborne, including the BETA Club and the OHS Student Government as its Executive President. She first pitched the idea to Principal Dr. Troy Jones in January. She told him she wanted to create an event to educate and empower Osborne students to prioritize their mental, physical, and emotional health.

Dr. Jones supported the vision, recognizing both the topic's timeliness and the strength of student initiative. While he encouraged Emma to pursue the idea, he also made it clear that bringing it to life would require serious leadership, a team, a plan, and community support.

As a BETA Club member, Emma knew their involvement would be vital to the event's success. As the largest club at Osborne, the BETA Club's support was a major factor in the Fair's success. Ms. Deidra Carter, the faculty sponsor of BETA, was excited to see Emma's passion and knew that this project aligned with their mission. 

The Health and Wellness Fair featured booths and hands-on activities on mental health resources, physical fitness, nutrition, dental hygiene, healthy eating, and more. Local hospitals, clinics, gyms, and nonprofits came out in full force, offering free screenings, informational handouts, and even wellness giveaways. Students rotated through stations and left the event with brochures and resources—and real knowledge and tools to support healthy living.

Dr. Jones praised the event as a model for student leadership and community engagement. "Emma turned her vision into reality and created something lasting for our students. It’s one thing to have an idea, but it’s another to put in the work. She did both," Dr. Jones said proudly.

For Emma, the success of the fair was never just about the one day—it was about creating a ripple effect of awareness and wellness on campus. She made sure students had access to the kind of information and support that they aren't always aware of, so that they know what resources are available to them within our community.

"I’m happy to say the event was a huge success," Emma said with a big smile. "We had a strong turnout from both students and staff, and it was great to see everyone interacting with the different booths and learning from community partners who shared amazing resources and tips. The energy was so positive, and I think it really helped people feel supported and inspired to prioritize their wellness."

Emma Wood amongst a successfully executed event. 

Thanks to Emma’s vision and determination and the support of BETA and faculty members like Ms. Carter, the Osborne Health and Wellness Fair is poised to become a new tradition at OHS—one that celebrates student voice, community partnership, and the power of taking care of yourself and others.

OHS Students testing their fitness