A group of students at Unaka High School don’t just want to learn about healthy lifestyles, they want to encourage their fellow students to make healthier choices in their own lives.
Students in the health occupations, computer technology and human services programs at UHS hosted the school’s second annual health fair on Thursday.
“Basically we integrated these three career and technical education pathways in developing this health fair,” said Kayla Clawson, a teacher in the health occupations program.
Last year the event was only for students at the high school. This year, the event was expanded to include eighth graders at Hunter and Unaka Elementary schools.
“Our students have worked exceptionally hard,” Clawson said. “Without their hard work this would not have been possible.”
“I am proud of these kids beyond words,” she added.

The students created booths on a variety of topics from cancers and sexually transmitted diseases to eating disorder and good handwashing practices. Other topics included tobacco use, texting and driving, alcohol and drug use, heart health and diabetes.
“How we came up with the ideas for each project was we looked at real problems here in Carter County that need to be addressed,” Clawson said.
The students were joined by professionals from the Carter County Health Department, the Carter County school system’s Coordinated Health program, Champion Physical Therapy, the Tennessee Highway Patrol, the UT Agricultural Extension Office, the Elizabethton and Johnson City Fire Departments, the Carter County Drug Coalition and Marsh Blood Bank.
Clawson said she was pleased with the support the event has garnered from agencies in the community as well as the participation from students.
“I think it’s important that we do this because if we can reach one person in some way to improve their health I feel like we have done our job,” she said.