Lehigh Valley STARs (Students Taking Active Roles) Club hosted a healthy living expo at Catasauqua High School Nov. 20. Students in grades 6-12 at various middle and high schools in Lehigh County are part of this club and invited to attend this annual event.

STARs is a peer-to-peer educational leadership club that promotes healthy alternatives to destructive decisions. Many middle schools and high schools throughout the Lehigh Valley support this club. Lehigh County STARs/SADD liaison Leanne Debrosse reported “200-250 students from all around the county” were expected to attend this expo.

STARs objectives are to help their peers make safer choices when it comes to driving, avoiding harmful substances, being kind to others and taking care of their mental and physical health.

Health care providers attending the expo engaged students in immersive activities that helped them experience the effects of a bad decision. For example, students were given the opportunity to play a simple game of ring toss while wearing alcohol, fatigue, drug impairment simulation goggles. Students could see and feel exactly how their perception was impaired, without having to consume alcohol. Students eagerly lined up for a chance to try the impairment simulation goggles.

Similar activities had students blindfolded, then spun around, while trying to pin the tail on the monkey.

In addition to these hands-on activities, attendees participated in informative discussions led by health care professionals, covering topics such as mental health, fitness, nutrition, stress management and the importance of healthy lifestyle choices.