Comsewogue High School’s Athletes Helping Athletes (AHA) club continues to make a lasting impact on students throughout the district. The AHA club, under the leadership of Physical Education teacher Nicole Kidd, visits local elementary schools three times a year to lead engaging and meaningful lessons on health, leadership and character development.

Prior to each visit, Comsewogue student-athletes participate in a training session alongside peers from neighboring districts such as Miller Place, Mt. Sinai, and Rocky Point. These sessions are facilitated by professional trainers from the AHA program, many of whom are former collegiate or professional athletes and coaches. This month’s session also featured a special presentation by Dan Bedard, a professor in Adelphi University’s Sports Management program.

“It was an honor to host several schools from across the region for an informative and empowering training session,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Jennifer Quinn. “Our Athletes Helping Athletes initiative exemplifies Comsewogue’s commitment to building mentorship opportunities between our students, promoting wellness and fostering a culture of leadership and integrity.”

The most recent lesson tasked the high school athletes with helping elementary students recognize the real-life challenges associated with alcohol, tobacco, vaping and other drug use. Through personal stories, insights and evidence-based strategies, the high school athletes delivered a strong and relatable message about making healthy choices. The lesson emphasized refusal skills and the importance of making informed decisions at a young age, underscoring that health-related choices arise earlier in life than ever before.

The AHA club will conclude the school year by supporting and assisting the field days held at each of the district’s elementary schools for its fifth-grade students.