The Just Think Expo, organized by the PTSO, offered students a chance to engage with local businesses, explore mental health and grief support programs, and gain insight into the effects of intoxication through an interactive experience with the Newton Police Department. The event took place during f-block on Tuesday, March 4.
“The event is mostly to give kids the knowledge of the resources that are out there, that are available for them in case they feel that they need to talk to someone,” said PTSO member Gabriela Kroszynski. She added that adolescents often feel that they are alone in what they are going through, and don’t know who to turn to for help.
One of the interactive experiences at the expo aimed to address these concerns from a different angle. The Newton Police Department provided goggles for students to try on that simulated different levels of intoxication, along with information about the effects of drinking and the importance of making safe choices.
According to officer John Panica, the police department hopes to share this information in a way that would be well received from highschool students.
“I think it’s good for kids to know what the dangers are of not only alcohol and drugs, but what happens if, especially upperclassmen who have their licenses drink and drive,” said Panka. “So we sort of try to make it fun and entertaining and all that.”
Students wearing the goggles were given a field sobriety test, which involves testing balance and ability to count forwards and backwards from one to eight. According to officer Isaiah Jellinek, the field sobriety test is used to determine if someone is under the influence of drugs, alcohol, or even could be having some sort of medical emergency.
Depending on the pair of goggles, students experienced low, medium and high levels of intoxication.
“The goggles distorted my vision, and I lost sight of my peripheral vision, everything was shorter,” said freshman Maggie Edwards.
Alongside Officers Jellinek, and Panka, was community resource dog Leo, a golden retriever.
“Leo was very cute and a great addition to the day,” said sophomore Aneesha Aryan.
The PTSO invites various programs to come to the expo, Kroszynski said, “We have a list of all the organizations and we invite all of them and whoever can come can come.”
Park Play nonprofit representative, Haley Gilbert said, “We’re under the umbrella of Good Shepherd Community Care, which is a hospice program. So, we offer grief support to different types of families from kids, teens, adults, and different types of abilities.”
Newton Youth Outreach representative Lisa Tro said, “We want to get our name out there because we are a behavioral health as well as academic support for kids struggling with depression and anxiety, And we’re located right here in Newton.”
The Just Think Expo was well received by students, sophomore Ivy Raynes said, “I thought the expo was fun and provided students with a lot of information, while keeping students engaged.”
The programs that attended to the expo included Central Service Committee, Families for Depression Awareness, Good Shepherd Community Care, iLearn wellness, Newton Youth Services, NAMI Massachusetts, Park Play, Riser + Trea, Samaritans, Sameem Behavioral Health. The Second Step, all of these organizations came to help students and provide easy access information.
