By Nikebia Brown-Joseph Staff Writer
Walking through the halls of Detroit International Academy on Feb. 6, students and staff could be seen wearing various shades of red. DIA was encouraged to participate in the Heart Health Awareness Day by wearing red pants, shirts, skirts even necklaces.
DIA’s National Honor Society chapter came up with a project idea and organized an assembly to address the theme of the day. While in restorative practice groups, students worked together to create an original display. These were designed to spread information about what it takes to maintain a healthy heart. The designs were then judged and the group to have the best display won a party, complete with heart healthy foods. The most important points include: staying active, avoid smoking and eating healthy.
“I liked that everyone got to wear red but I didn’t enjoy the competition,” senior Fatema Akhtar said. “And the event wasn’t very well planned but I think there was a good effort. I blame the planning problems on the snow days.”
During the last hour of the day, students and staff gathered in the auditorium. Guest speaker, Dr. Russell Little of Henry Ford Hospital, lead a presentation, which included advice on how to keep your heart healthy, as well as, a synopsis on the anatomy of the heart.
“We should celebrate heart health like this more often,” junior Nazifa Chowdhury said. “I enjoyed the activity we did in our restorative practice groups. My group was really into it. We included a phone number that high school students could use to schedule a free heart checkup and added lights to our display for a creative touch. We ended up winning. ... It was very informative to hear Dr. Russell speak about heart diseases.”
Chowdhury said she could relate because “... that same day my dad had gotten an angiogram (X-ray) because a couple of his arteries were blocked just as she had talked about.”
“It was hectic but exciting,” said senior Sakila Islam and NHS member. “The snow days really threw us off, but we were able to pull it together. I’d like to think we accomplished our goal.”
