Students were packed in the auditorium. Pockets of yellow-clad teachers and students were scattered among the crowd. Chatter filled the air as students tried to figure out why they were called to the assembly. Then, all conversation stopped when the bananas started talking.
Four students, two of them in banana costumes, began the assembly for the new club at Red Lion Area Senior High School.
Aevidum, a completely student-run club to promote mental health awareness, held an assembly on Dec. 12.
Aevidum started in 2004 as a way for students at Cocalico High School in Denver, Pa. to cope after a student at their school committed suicide. The word “aevidum” was created by the students, and it means “I’ve got your back.”
Four students, two of them in banana costumes, began the assembly for the new club at Red Lion Area Senior High School.
Aevidum, a completely student-run club to promote mental health awareness, held an assembly on Dec. 12.
Aevidum started in 2004 as a way for students at Cocalico High School in Denver, Pa. to cope after a student at their school committed suicide. The word “aevidum” was created by the students, and it means “I’ve got your back.”
The Red Lion chapter of Aevidum started when four students, Mickayla Smith, Ian Adler, Katelyn Willey, and Hayley Athoff, agreed to go to the “Let’s Talk, PA!” press conference last October with their advisor, Andrea Rohrbaugh, a social studies teacher at Red Lion.
The conference hosted over 30 schools from all over Pennsylvania.
“There were a bunch of people from different schools,” Smith said. “Those who were already a part of the club at their school and those who wanted to start a club were connected as one.”
“You could feel the energy bouncing everywhere,” Willey said, the only senior on the trip. Willey had not planned on joining the club. “I wasn’t even supposed to go to the conference,” said Willey. Another member was injured before the conference, so Willey filled in.
Even though she did not plan on working with Aevidum, she does not regret it. “I love it. I know other people will love it too. A lot of people will benefit from it.”
The assembly informed the student body about the club’s purpose and goals.
“We have to have each other’s backs,” Willey said. She and her companions told the student body about the four focuses of Aevidum: acceptance, appreciation, acknowledgement, and care.
“Everyone is welcome. That’s what makes Aevidum different,” Athoff said. One of their main goals is to include every student in the program.
Another aim of the club is to acknowledge everyone’s successes and weaknesses.
“Every battle that you fight and win should be acknowledged and celebrated,” Adler said during the assembly.
Smith explained that some mental health issues are hidden from the students’ eyes.
“Depression is not as obvious in a crowd as a person wearing a banana costume,” Smith said to the students.
The club’s future plans were also announced.
According to Smith, the club plans to establish an Aevidum lounge as a place for students to relax from the stress of school work and as a safe place to get help.
The club is also organizing a paint battle as their starting fundraiser. According to Willey, students would purchase white shirts from Aevidum representatives. Students would be supplied with various containers of paint. Then, a massive game of tag would start. They would show that they have everyone’s back by placing a handprint on their shirt.
The assembly ended with the students repeating the motto, “Aevidum. I’ve got your back. We’ve got your back. Aevidum.”
The assembly was the grand reveal of the club’s cause to the student body. The decision is now up to the students on how the program will continue.
“All we can do is hope,” Adler said. “Who knows what will happen after the assembly?”
Willey, on the other hand, is confident in the club’s ability to spread their message.
“I think the club is going to blossom,” she said. “There will be a rough start, like with all new clubs, but we are all passionate enough to make it work.”
This post was originally written for the York Daily Record's Teen Takeover Program.
The conference hosted over 30 schools from all over Pennsylvania.
“There were a bunch of people from different schools,” Smith said. “Those who were already a part of the club at their school and those who wanted to start a club were connected as one.”
“You could feel the energy bouncing everywhere,” Willey said, the only senior on the trip. Willey had not planned on joining the club. “I wasn’t even supposed to go to the conference,” said Willey. Another member was injured before the conference, so Willey filled in.
Even though she did not plan on working with Aevidum, she does not regret it. “I love it. I know other people will love it too. A lot of people will benefit from it.”
The assembly informed the student body about the club’s purpose and goals.
“We have to have each other’s backs,” Willey said. She and her companions told the student body about the four focuses of Aevidum: acceptance, appreciation, acknowledgement, and care.
“Everyone is welcome. That’s what makes Aevidum different,” Athoff said. One of their main goals is to include every student in the program.
Another aim of the club is to acknowledge everyone’s successes and weaknesses.
“Every battle that you fight and win should be acknowledged and celebrated,” Adler said during the assembly.
Smith explained that some mental health issues are hidden from the students’ eyes.
“Depression is not as obvious in a crowd as a person wearing a banana costume,” Smith said to the students.
The club’s future plans were also announced.
According to Smith, the club plans to establish an Aevidum lounge as a place for students to relax from the stress of school work and as a safe place to get help.
The club is also organizing a paint battle as their starting fundraiser. According to Willey, students would purchase white shirts from Aevidum representatives. Students would be supplied with various containers of paint. Then, a massive game of tag would start. They would show that they have everyone’s back by placing a handprint on their shirt.
The assembly ended with the students repeating the motto, “Aevidum. I’ve got your back. We’ve got your back. Aevidum.”
The assembly was the grand reveal of the club’s cause to the student body. The decision is now up to the students on how the program will continue.
“All we can do is hope,” Adler said. “Who knows what will happen after the assembly?”
Willey, on the other hand, is confident in the club’s ability to spread their message.
“I think the club is going to blossom,” she said. “There will be a rough start, like with all new clubs, but we are all passionate enough to make it work.”
This post was originally written for the York Daily Record's Teen Takeover Program.
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