Each year, sophomores at Niles New Tech put their heads together to design, create and carry out a health fair that will inspire members of the community to invest in their health.

Now, after months of hard work, the fourth annual health fair will come to fruition from 1 to 7 p.m. Thursday, May 18, at Niles High School, 1441 Eagle St.. The following day, there will be a “Run with the Mayor” from 1:50 to 2:45 p.m. on the high school track.

Student Morgan Moore, who helped to design this year’s health fair with a panel of six elected students, said the information presented would be as engaging as it is informative.

This year’s theme, which students also created, is “The greatest wealth is your health.”

“It is a really awesome event,” Moore said. “It is so important to take care of yourself and it will be fun.”

More than 20 businesses have partnered with the school and will provide free activities like jazzercise and a bouncy house for the children, as well as health screenings and snacks. The event is free and open to the public to attend.

A raffle will also offer the chance to win free prizes, including a mountain bike and a gym membership.

For the first year in the event’s history, the health fair will be spread out over two days.

Mayor Nick Shelton will lead the “Run with the Mayor” that Friday. Those interested in participating can sign up for the run during the health fair on May 18.

The run costs $2, and all proceeds will be donated to Relay for Life.

When students asked Shelton to get on board, the mayor said he was honored for the opportunity.

“Who wouldn’t want to do it?” Shelton said.  “The students from the New Tech health panel are brilliant. We brainstormed a few ideas together, but it was the students who put together these two events.”

Shelton encouraged people to visit the fair and observe students hard work, while contributing to a worthy cause.

“I hope a lot of people participate,” he said. “The students are raising money for Relay for Life, a wonderful cause, and I am honored to be part of their event.”

Moore said they hope the mayor’s attendance could help influence more people to take part in the health fair.

“It shows that he wants to be connected with the youth and make Niles a healthier place,” Moore said.

As a project based learning school, Bill Prenkert, Niles New Tech teacher and marketing facilitator for the project, said projects like the health fair encourage students to apply the skills they have learned in the classroom.

Students get their information through Jami Foster’s health and wealth class. To round out the semester, students end the class by coming up with a health fair project.

Students on the panel were also tasked with reaching out to local businesses to participate in the health fair.

Businesses may participate for free and may still call the school to be part of the health fair.

While teaching the community about health is the objective, students who work on the project gain a host of other skills, Moore said. Students who help gain management, communication and leadership skills, in addition to learning about health.

Prenkert commended the generosity of sponsors who have helped to make the event free for the public and participating businesses.

“Without their cooperation and help, we would not be able to do this,” Prenkert said. 

Since the event was implemented, Prenkert said the Elk’s Club has given generously. This year they are also donating prizes.

Prenkert also recognized WSMK, which gave students the opportunity to broadcast their own commercials to advertise the health fair.

As students make their final preparations in the days to come, Moore said she hopes people are able to take away the importance of being healthy.

“The earlier you start [getting healthy], the easier it will be,” Moore said. “The youth of Niles are the future and it is really imperative that we make them see the importance of being healthy.”