Calhoun Health Fair shows teens how to get fit

In the center of the Calhoun High School gymnasium, Heather West, executive chef at Monterey in Long Beach and season two winner of "Hell’s Kitchen," was grilling lightly seasoned turkey burgers with senior Katie Smith.

A short distance away, fitness trainer Amy Gilberg of World Gym in Wantagh was showing freshman Owen Carr how to ride a spin cycle.

Sensei Jeff Lovering of the Goshinkan Dojo Family Self-Defense Center in Merrick was teaching senior Joseph Saladino a thing or two about defensive touch points.

And, in a quiet corner, senior Amber Abdylji of Calhoun’s cosmetology program was slowly styling classmate Carly Pass’s hair.

It was all part of Calhoun High School’s fourth annual Health Fair, organized by health teacher Keri Cinelli and two dozen student volunteers, most of whom were juniors and seniors.

Some 27 health and fitness vendors set up shop at the fair on Jan. 22. Students swirled about the gymnasium, munching on green salads with vinaigrette dressing from Crave Deli in North Merrick, playing Twister and giving golf a try at a special driving station. Around noon, the Calhoun kickline offered a fast-paced performance as their classmates cheered.

All of Calhoun’s 1,200 students attended the event throughout the morning on Friday. Cinelli said preparations for the health fair began in October. "Every year, it seems to grow and change and become a little more productive for the kids," Cinelli said. "The kids do a great job.

"We do it," she continued, "because we want to let our students know there are choices for healthy living, salads instead of fries. There are so many ways to exercise that are fun. Kids always feel like they have to be in the weight room."

Senior Kevin Zimmerman, an event co-captain, said he got involved in the effort "because I just like organizing things. I did it last year and just had a great time."

His co-captain Alyssa Barresi, also a senior and member of the kickline, said, "It’s really fun to show kids different stuff you can eat, healthy stuff." She noted that her hip-hop routines for kickline "take a lot out of you."

Saul Lerner, the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District health and athletic director, said, "What we’re trying to do is expose kids to various fun things you can do to stay healthy."