Wellness Day at Reeds Brook

HAMPDEN – Have you ever realized that saying, “I can’t do that” is as bad as smoking? The Health Theater presentation by Double Vision, the keynote presenters for Wellness Day at Reeds Brook Middle School on April 12, taught just that.

The group’s presentation was all about movement, skill, working together, opportunity and encouragement. The self-described “middle-aged white rappers” have talents such as juggling balls and balancing ladders. Balancing ladders?

Yeah. “Don’t try this at home” were important words to quote. More specifically, “Don’t do anything we do … stay in school and get a real job.”

The actors used lots of comedy – however, their message was genuine. The students also heard from leaders about nutrition, substance abuse, mental health, recreation, fitness and decision making.

Officer Chris Bailey defined leaders as people who positively change other people, society and the community.

One such leader, Jack Merrithew, physics teacher at Hampden Academy, was honest in telling the students about his experiences with cigarettes and chewing tobacco. He encouraged them not to waste their money on deadly chemical cigarettes. He told students he quit in 1976, when cigarettes cost 60 cents, which he believed to be expensive. Now cigarettes can cost as much as $5 a pack.

In his baseball career, he once tried chewing before heading out to left field, but before getting to his position, he “was throwing up guts.”

His words related to the keynote presentation with the skit on being like the guys in the big leagues and the movies. By smoking and chewing tobacco, you can be dead just like them.

– Melissa Horr, student and member of HA Teach Team

Essay on entrepreneurship

HAMPDEN – The Hampden Business Association has announced its first essay competition, “Entrepreneurship in Maine: The Role of Entrepreneurs in Economic Prosperity.” The contest is for Hampden high school students who attend public or private schools, or who are home-schooled.

Prize money of $1,000 will be awarded to winners. The first 10 entrants will receive a coupon for a pizza at Pizza Gourmet in Hampden.

Contest entries must be submitted by Wednesday, May 11. Judging will take place the week of May 16. Winners will be announced Thursday, May 26, at the Lucerne Inn.

In addition to making prizes available, the Hampden Business Association has donated copies of the newly revised book, “Common Sense Economics: What Everyone Should Know about Wealth and Prosperity” by James Gwartney and Richard and Dwight R. Lee, to the Edythe Dyer Library and to libraries at other local schools Hampden students attend.

For more information about the contest, essay parameters and resources available, students or parents should call business association president Chad Young at 862-9720, or visit www.hampdenbusinessassociation.com.