The annual Own Your Peace wellness breakfast took place on Wednesday, January 13th, but it looked a little different this year. Own Your Peace is an initiative at NHS that prioritizes community wellness and mental health through events, outreach, and discussions. Typically, the wellness breakfast takes place in the cafeteria on the Friday before Martin Luther King weekend and has live performances, speakers from different wellness-related clubs, statements for OYP club members, and, of course, bagels.
Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, the wellness breakfast could not happen in this fashion. Instead, OYP opted to host the breakfast-turned-lunch virtually, following the end of school. The club made the most of the situation, though, and was able to keep many aspects of the annual event the same.
The “breakfast” kicked off with a recording of the Treble Rebels, Needham’s female a capella group, singing “Adore You” by Harry Styles (which, by the way, is an amazing song choice). Afterwards, attendees were invited to fill out a Google Form with a few of their go-to songs, songs that relieve stress or make them happy. These songs were put into a giant Needham High OYP Spotify playlist -- check it out here!
Next, Counterpoint, Needham’s co-ed a cappella group, sang a fantastic version of “Havana” by Camila Cabello. Immediately following this, Needham High clubs focused on wellness and equity introduced their clubs missions and the work they do. These groups were Amnesty International, the Environmental Club, the Asian Student Union, New to Needham, the Jewish Student union, the Black Student Union, SAMD, Girl Up, Take Back the Night, the NewspapHER, and CCOR. Check out the recording of this section of the event here to learn about the wellness/equity work being done that you can get involved with!
Then, Subway Dwarves, graced the audience with yet another Harry Styles song, “Watermelon Sugar.” Subsequently, members of the Own Your Peace leadership group shared pieces of learning through engaging in this work -- “Mental illness is not an identity,” “Gender and sexuality are not a choice,” etc. Trixie Ogbebor shared Gil Scott-Heron’s poem, “Whitey on the Moon,” as a reminder to the equity work that must continue to be done in our respective groups.
Closing the event was a beautiful rendition of “Electric Love” by BØRNS from Fermata Nowhere. Overall, the wellness lunch was a success!