By Christine E. Tormey and Bronxville School SFL Parent Volunteers

Feb. 8, 2017:  On Friday, January 27, after a week of midterm exams, papers, and presentations, Bronxville High School students enjoyed a morning of health and wellness.

Termed "SFL Day" because it is organized by the Student Faculty Legislature ("SFL"), the Friday after midterms is traditionally devoted to a topic of the SFL members' choice and planned for months.

SFL president Aidan Flannery '17 and vice president Fina Maldonado '18 led the planning under the guidance of Dr. Victor Maxwell, faculty advisor. Aidan commented, "The SFL's goal for the day was to introduce new and easy ways to stay healthy in order to live happier lives. Students were able to learn techniques to balance out their busy schedules while maintaining healthy habits."

The morning opened with a keynote address by Alexis Glick, CEO of the GENYOUth Foundation and mother of Logan Glick '20. Alexis gave an inspiring talk about balance and the importance of nutrition, exercise, and sleep in order to maintain health and wellness and achieve one's goals. She emphasized how crucial it is for students to support one another and to uplift, rather than compete against, classmates.

She also shared her experiences with GENYOUth, a national organization devoted to nutrition and wellness in schools. GENYOUth empowers students to create change in their own communities. Alexis commented, "The tremendous spirit and enthusiasm that everyone displayed on Friday was phenomenal! My hope is that Bronxville High School students will be the leaders they are destined to be and share their time, talent, and treasure with other students to help them achieve their health and wellness goals and lead by example. SFL Day was only the beginning of our united challenge to embrace and support one another in 2017 and beyond."

The students then broke out into groups of approximately 20 students each and rotated through various experts and specialists in the health and wellness fields. 

They practiced yoga with Dee Yergo, learned Pure Barre exercises with Hollis Morris, worked with trainers Chris Cosentino and Darren Riccio of Achieve Fitness, stretched with physical therapists Steve Srebnik and Edwina Sulimirski, and participated in a fun and rigorous Zumba class with Jenny Shively.

They spoke about substance abuse with Lillian Newman of The Maxwell Institute and learned about performance nutrition from Dr. Jessica Rieder. SFL Day offered all of this and more. A complete list of volunteer health and wellness experts appears below.

The morning concluded in the auditorium with a group meditation led by world history and humanities teacher Bill Meyer, who was accompanied by the live enchanting music of Aya and Tyler, electronic meditation musicians. Mr. Meyer commented, "Aya and Tyler are two incredibly talented musicians. I felt so fortunate to be asked to lead the final meditation alongside them. I hope it not only offered a space for students to reflect on the first half of the year but also offered the chance for them to set positive and healthy intentions for the second semester."  

Below is a list of volunteer health and wellness experts who participated:

Courtney Alan, Art Teacher, The Bronxville School

Amy Atkeson, M.D., Columbia University Medical Center

Aya and Tyler, Electronic Meditation Musicians

Tyler Beauchamp, Candidate for Master's in Psychology, Columbia University

Arnold Breisblatt, Tai Chi Instructor

Chris Cosentino, Achieve Physical Therapy and Performance Enhancement

Stephanie Filardi, Bronxville Wellness Sanctuary

Alexis Glick, CEO, The GENYOUth Foundation

Cameron Kinker, The One Love Foundation

David Kucher and Paige Davis, The Southfield Center for Development

Sharon McIlwaine, Bronxville Acupuncture

Bill Meyer, Meditation Leader and Teacher, The Bronxville School

Hollis Morris, Fitness Instructor, Pure Barre

Lillian Newman, CASAC, BSW, The Maxwell Institute

Christina Reidel, Teacher, The Bronxville School

Darren Riccio, Achieve Physical Therapy and Performance Enhancement

Jessica Rieder, MD, Children's Hospital at Montefiore

Michael Sands, B&G Foods

Jenny Shively, Fitness Instructor

Robert Silverman, DC, Chiropractor

Steve Srebnik, PT, Performance Rehabilitation

Edwina Sulimurski, PT, Edwina Sulimurski Physical Therapy

Dee Yergo, Prana Yoga and Meditation

Pictured here:  SFL president Aidan Flannery, faculty advisor Victor Maxwell, and SFL members.

Photos courtesy Christine Tormey