Students participate in a rugby game during Wellness Day.
Choate students and faculty took part in celebrating Wellness Day on April 13 through a wide variety of activities. Students enjoyed physical pursuits like tennis to more laid-back activities such as a showing of School of Rock, exploring Chinese street food, and Chipwich-making.
History teacher Mr. Jesse Minneman led the fly casting activity on the lawn between the Carl C. Icahn Center for Science and Paul Mellon Arts Center (PMAC).
During this activity, a group of students were split into groups and given a shared casting rod to practice their fly fishing techniques. Towards the end of the wellness block, everyone was allowed to practice casting into the Archbold Pond with pieces of yarn instead of metal hooks, and some students managed to get a couple of bites from fish.
Mr. Minneman described Wellness Day as a great chance to try something new. “I think a lot of the activities are active without being strenuous, which is great,” he said. He appreciated the opportunity “to meet new people” and “try new things,” something he doesn’t often have time for because of his busy schedule.
Students also took advantage of the interactive nature of Wellness Day by sharing their passions and hosting their own wellness sessions. Lauren Kee ’24 led a mahjong-playing activity, while Sachi Mehra ’23 and Pearson Hill ’24 organized a rugby game, collaborating to create a set of drills fit for both new and seasoned rugby players.
Mehra’s proposal for rugby wasn’t a new idea for her. “This past year, I have become really interested in the sport and pursuing it in college [and] beyond. Not many kids at Choate [or even] in America are familiar with the sport, and I wanted to bring something new to Choate students and share my love for [it].”
Mehra looks to take part in activities that benefit her well-being: “As much as I enjoy mindful activities, running around outside and playing sports is a huge part of how I like to take care of myself and stay well.”
Due to limited space, certain activities necessitated limiting spots to a first-come-first-serve basis. Cooking and baking were especially in high demand, and subsequently kept some students from joining in those activities.
Chloe Lee ’26 said that she wished signups could have been handed differently to better accommodate student interests: “I know a lot of people didn’t get what they wanted to do.” However, she felt that overall, the activities were well-thought-out and very successful.
English teacher Mr. David Loeb, who assisted in making Chipwich ice cream sandwiches, also expressed his appreciation for Wellness Day.
“It’s difficult for anyone at Choate to be at their best, teachers or students, unless they’re feeling their best, and events like this certainly allow people to have happy and relaxed moments,” he said.
