Edwards teens 'fair' well with health

  • Published
  • By Airman Mike Young
  • 95th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  Organizations from around the base pulled together for the common good of Edwards' youth May 11 during the Teen Health Fair at the former Forbes Elementary School. 

The Teen Health Fair is a community event where teens can receive information about services and organizations available to them on base, said Tech Sgt. David Ah Sing, a readiness noncommissioned officer for the Airman and Family Readiness Center. 

The Teen Health Fair included both base and local school district participation to educate kids on everything from personal hygiene to the proper way to wear a backpack. 

"I think we need to address these issues by being proactive rather than being reactive," said Jennifer Higgins, a family advocacy outreach manager with the Edwards Family Advocacy Center. "The event is all about prevention." 

The fair addressed a variety of topics such as dental hygiene, depression, self-esteem, peer pressure, drugs, alcohol and sex. 

Many different organizations from around the base volunteered their time to answer any questions or false assumptions regarding these topics, Ms. Higgins said. 

"The goal behind the Teen Health Fair is to disseminate information -- especially to kids who may not receive information from their parents or may have questions, but because of peer pressure, they are embarrassed to bring them up," Sergeant Ah Sing said.

During the day the children were brought over to the Teen Health Fair sorted by grade, so they could receive the best information suited for their age group. 

When they arrived, they were met in the Forbes Elementary School multipurpose room by a flood of base volunteers, handouts and educational booths. 

The 95th Security Forces Squadron demonstrated the effects of drinking by having the teens wear "beer goggles."

The students also received lectures about decision-making, self-esteem and dating violence.

Nat Adams, the principal for the Edwards Middle School and Desert High School, said sketches were also performed to "break the ice" and make it both enjoyable and informational for the students. 

Base organizations participating in the fair included Family Advocacy, Life Skills, the 95th Medical Group, Drug Demand Reduction, and the enlisted and officer spouses clubs. 

"This is a big event with more than 500 participants," Ms. Higgins said. "The biggest challenge is just setting it up. Once it gets going, it's easy to manage. The real challenge is the footwork. It's kind of like the saying, 'it takes a village to raise a child.' This is a good example of the community coming together to support the children."