Strengthening Students: YVHS Invests in Physical Health to Support Mental Health

This year at Yampa Valley High School (YVHS), students have the opportunity to focus on their physical health and strengthen their mental health, thanks to a $35,500 federal grant from Empowering Action for School Improvement (EASI).

During a brainstorming session, staff decided to use the grant to promote physical health with the goal of improving mental health. Since YVHS does not have access to a physical education teacher or gym, they chose to allocate the funds toward giving students the knowledge and equipment to take charge of their physical well-being.

YVHS now has four pieces of gym equipment, including a treadmill, a recumbent bike, a functional trainer, and volleyball and pickleball sets. Students can use this equipment before or after school, or during class. In addition, students and staff received one-year memberships to Old Town Hot Springs (OTHS), where they can go as a class or on their own. Students also have access to group classes, including swim lessons, and OTHS trainers will help students with their individual fitness goals.

Acquiring all this equipment took a community effort. Students visited Ski Haus to pick out gym sneakers, and a manager at the Under Armour outlet in Silverthorne even went into the store on her day off with her daughter to shop for clothes and gear for the students.

The health class meets twice a week on Mondays and Wednesdays from 12:45 to 2:15 p.m. The first semester focuses on an introduction to physical health, while the second semester will emphasize nutrition and independent exercise. To help students set and maintain realistic goals, local wellness coach Sarah Coleman is supporting them in aligning fitness goals with their overall well-being.

“We are giving them a healthy outlet to utilize outside of the school instead of scrolling on their phones,” said Principal Kristyl Boies.

By connecting classroom learning to real-world experiences, YVHS is empowering students to make lifelong healthy choices.

YVHS extends its gratitude to Under Armour Outlet in Silverthorne, Old Town Hot Springs, and Ski Haus for their partnership and generosity in supporting this initiative. Their contributions have helped ensure every student has the tools, gear, and community connections needed to build lifelong healthy habits.