Saint Martin’s peer health educators chosen to speak at conference

April 14, 2005

Lacey, Wash. – Ten Saint Martin’s College students have been invited to give a presentation on student health issues at the Bacchus & Gamma Peer Education Network Regional Conference, April 15-17 in Amboy, Wash.

The conference will bring students from colleges and universities across Washington, Oregon, Montana, Idaho and Alaska to discuss the biggest health issues – including alcohol or drug abuse, smoking, and safe sex – facing today’s college students.

The Saint Martin’s group will host a session of “College Jeopardy,” a fast-paced take-off on the popular television show. Students at the conference will compete in such categories as “Between the Sheets” and “Drugs Are Bad, m’kay.” The group uses the format to share basic information with fellow students to help them make healthy choices about sex, alcohol, drugs and relationships.

Saint Martin’s College’s Peer Health Educator Program features trained student volunteers providing answers to their classmates’ questions about healthy lifestyles and safety.

“Our peer health educators are a fun and dedicated group of student leaders who facilitate access to health-related information and resources,” said Lynne Welton, director of the college’s Counseling and Wellness Resource Center and the group’s advisor. “They are trained in active listening and problem-solving and can assist students with healthy decision-making concerning alcohol and drug use and sexual behavior. I’m so proud of them for contributing their program proposal to the regional conference and earning the “closing” spot for the entire conference with their presentation of “College Jeopardy.”

The following students will be representing Saint Martin’s College this weekend:
Jason Richard, Forks
Marie Christensen, Gig Harbor
Lennon Bronsema, Sumas
Tracie O’Neill, Olympia
Haley McInnes, Port Angeles
Julie Guzman, Salem, Ore.
Samantha Minzel, Tacoma
Damini Djenaba, Tacoma
Steven Diaz, Tacoma
Sean-Michael Ortiz, Pearl City, Hawaii

The Bacchus & Gamma Peer Education Network is an international association with the mission to actively promote peer education as an important part of campus health and safety efforts.

For more information, please call Welton at 360-438-4513, or e-mail her at lwelton@stmartin.edu.

Lynne Welton
Peer health educator adviser
360-438-4513
lwelton@stmartin.edu

John DeWeese
Office of Communication
360-486-8857
jdeweese@stmartin.edu