White Pines Students Lead Wellness Initiative to Boost Health

The White Pines Collegiate Wellness Committee has launched its second annual Wellness In Action program, aimed at fostering friendships and enhancing physical and mental health among students. The initiative, which involves both staff and students, encourages participation in monthly wellness activities. In October, students collectively drank the equivalent of 18 bathtubs of water to promote awareness about the importance of hydration for overall health, exceeding their initial goal of 10 bathtubs.

“We started the committee and program out of a need that we saw in students,” explained Alysia Mitchell, a teacher at White Pines. “There are some mental health needs, some emotional needs, and some physical needs aside from academics.” Fellow teacher Elysia Lethbridge emphasized the program’s goal to create supportive opportunities for both students and staff to prioritize their well-being.

Student leaders Lilly Cochrane and Cameron Ciotti, both in Grade 12, have taken on the role of enthusiastic role models, actively participating in the Wellness In Action program. “There’s a lot of anxiety with everyone, including teachers, and for students that anxiety comes with writing tests or in a social way,” Cochrane shared with SooToday. She highlighted the impact of outside factors on students’ mental health, noting the prevalence of depression and motivational challenges among peers. “We’re trying to help them get better with this wellness program. We want them to feel more included through Wellness In Action activities.”

Ciotti echoed these sentiments, stating, “It’s about trying to fit in without conforming to a social norm. You can bring your authentic self into all these wellness activities that we have. We’re very inclusive of who’s coming into our activities and what we can do to assist them for anything that is bothering them.”

Monthly Initiatives Foster Engagement

The month of November features an initiative called Girls Who Lift, specifically designed for female students. “We’re doing some basic strength training, some weightlifting, getting comfortable with gym equipment and building their confidence in the gym each Wednesday,” Mitchell explained. Many of these participants would not typically engage in a gym setting, but under the program’s guidance, they are enjoying the experience.

In addition, all students are encouraged to participate in a five-minute body break each Friday throughout November. These breaks can include stretching, meditation, yoga, or tai chi. With December approaching, the focus will shift to promoting acts of kindness among the student body during the Christmas season.

Mitchell and Lethbridge commend students like Cochrane and Ciotti for their leadership. “I think they’re natural leaders because they’re very kind individuals. Students naturally connect to them because they are non-judgmental, they’re involved, they’re invested,” Mitchell noted. Cochrane and Ciotti are not only academic achievers but also excel in extracurricular activities; Ciotti previously served as a student trustee for the Algoma District School Board in the 2024–2025 school year, while Cochrane has pursued competitive dance with Studio Dance Arts.

Ciotti offered advice regarding wellness, encouraging peers to explore new interests. “If you want to try a sport that will help your development later in life or if you want to join a club, it’ll build your social circle and help with your development.” Cochrane added an important perspective, suggesting that youth should be gentle with themselves. “Whether you get a bad grade or someone is mad at you, it’s not always that deep. It’s just life,” she said. “You’ve just got to keep going with the flow, and at the end of the day, everything will work itself out.”

The Wellness In Action program, unique to White Pines Collegiate, received recognition with a community award from the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service in May, further validating its positive impact on the student community.