Berlin, NH – Androscoggin Valley Hospital, a proud affiliate of North Country Healthcare, in conjunction with Berlin Junior High School and Gorham Middle/High School, held Health-A-Rama, a teen conference for 8th graders, on Thursday, October 24, at the Town & Country Inn and Resort in Gorham, NH. The daylong event discussed important issues teens are facing such as drugs, alcohol, peer pressure, and the impact and consequences of their choices and decisions. It was an opportunity for students to enjoy a day out of the norm, off campus, while learning meaningful lessons in real-life situations. This year Salve Regina, Errol and home-schooled students were invited to attend.
The Health-A-Rama Planning Committee brought back its three main speakers, as they are standouts with students. MARKO, opening keynote speaker, provided information in an entertaining and enlightening way; Charles “Chucky” Rosa spoke candidly about losing not one but two sons to drugs and alcohol; and closing keynote speaker Ed Gerety is a leadership trainer at national youth leadership conferences, colleges, universities, and schools across the country. Ed is recognized for his unique ability to connect with audiences about real issues and has spoken to audiences in all 50 states, Canada, and Europe, reaching over one million people and counting.
Winners of the gift cards generously donated by Service Credit Union were Addisen Lapoint of Gorham and Alison Smith of Berlin.
Candy O’Neil, Volunteer Coordinator and Ambassadors President/Liaison, Androscoggin Valley Hospital, would also like to thank North Country Healthcare, the AVH Foundation for sponsoring the event, the AVH Ambassadors for sponsoring lunch, Service Credit Union for donating gift cards, the Town & Country Inn and Resort, Scott Labnon and their staff for an outstanding job serving a wonderful lunch of pizza and salads.
Thank you to Matt Saladino, Guidance Counselor for Gorham and Jacquelyn Hallisey, Guidance Counselor for Berlin, Trista Bruns and Phil Rousseau for organizing the event.
