As students at Columbus Academy, most of us aim to excel in not just our schoolwork but also extracurriculars, including sports and the arts—and for some—both in and out of school.

Many students overload themselves with countless activities on top of schoolwork, leaving them stressed and up late at night, though it rarely pays off. 

To raise awareness of the importance of a balanced lifestyle, upper school counselor, Mrs. Decree, has initiated a series of community cafes aimed at educating students about healthy living.

#caUNPLUGGED is a student-led series, at which classmates share how they’ve triumphed over the struggles they’ve experienced, sharing tips on maintaining one’s well-being. Decree’s goal with #caUNPLUGGED is to get students to “come listen, learn, and be empowered by the stories and testimonies of [their] peers.”

Another forum, #theREALonRELATIONSHIPS, focuses on sexual health and relationships. DeCree partnered with Nationwide Children’s Hospital to provide students a safe environment for learning more about dating safety, healthy relationships, and boundaries.

DeCree has worked with Love Without Hurt and Signs of Suicide to help Academy students learn how to live a healthy life, while managing a number of of demanding factors.

“It’s okay to struggle. It’s okay to be sad. It’s okay to be angry, as long as [these feelings] are dealt with appropriately, says DeCree. ” She wants students to understand that feeling stressed or unhappy is a normal part of life, and they shouldn’t be afraid to seek help and talk to her.

Remember.  DeCree’s door is always open to everyone.