Brewster Students Are 'Stepping Up' For Vets In Need Of Support

BREWSTER, NY — As Veterans Day neared, high school students were busy stepping up in phys-ed classes to support struggling vets.

From the Brewster Central School District.

The Step Up Challenge is a workout in honor of Chad Wilkinson, a longtime Navy Seal who took his own life after suffering a traumatic brain injury due to shock waves in combat overseas. The Step Up Challenge is a 1000 repetition, weighted step up workout. Over the course of two days, students in each PE and health class had the option to climb bleachers with or without backpacks and then learned about trauma, suicide and the need for mental health awareness.

“We are hoping that the students can come together and feel good about what they are stepping for while learning some valuable information. The message is that even our strongest need help sometimes. With Veteran’s Day near, we have a responsibility to highlight the sacrifices made in the name of freedom,” explained teacher Nicole Sweeney.

The PE curriculum is focused on a well-rounded student. The profile of a Brewster graduate includes civic responsibility, so this lesson is a perfect opportunity to introduce a fitness challenge that also brings awareness to a national mental health issue affecting veterans.

As students walked up and down and around the bleachers, the PE teachers occasionally stopped them to share a mental health statistic regarding veterans.

One student, junior Morgan Baughan, wore a backpack while she stepped. “This hits home for me because I have three members of my family who are veterans–my grandfather served in Vietnam. There’s a lack of support for veterans so this awareness is really important.”

“This is a really cool class because it brings to light things we might not be thinking about,” explained senior Diany Ramos.

“It kind of reminds me of the 9/11 steps challenge,” said Ashley Van Keven.

The bleachers include 22 steps, the number of veterans who take their lives daily.

“Each step is meaningful,” explained Sweeney. “They served so we can be free–we are doing this so you are aware and can help if you see someone who needs help.”

This release was produced by the Brewster Central School District. The views expressed here are the author’s own.