Gratitude is the Focus of Wellness Day

While November 10 was an overcast Monday, it was also a day the entire campus community was grateful for. Westminster’s third annual Wellness Day began with a sleep-in for boarding students, followed by a delicious brunch for all students in the dining hall and an all-school Community Assembly in Werner Centennial Center, which kicked off the day’s theme of gratitude.

Bring Change 2 Mind leaders Pippa Jiranek ’26 and Clara Covill ’26 spoke at the assembly, reminding students to show their gratitude on Wellness Day by thanking faculty as well as dining hall, security, and maintenance staff. “Bring Change 2 Mind’s main focus is the destigmatization of mental health,” said Clara. “Wellness Day pushes that to the forefront and allows the importance of mental health to be recognized.” 

“Wellness Day is an intentional pause from the typical rhythm of classes,” said Associate Head of School Jessica Keough and highlighted the day as an opportunity for students to “learn and practice healthy strategies for self-care.”

Students participated in a wide range of wellness programs designed and directed by faculty to help students have fun and try activities that can support their mental health. “This year there are more than 40 wellness sessions for students to choose from,” said Amy Raskind, Director of Mental Health Services. “The goal of Wellness Day is multifold. One is for the students to have a day to reset and recharge. Another is for them to learn a new skill or two that they can add to their wellness toolbox to implement the next time they are feeling stressed or overwhelmed, and of course it’s an opportunity to play and share new experiences in community.”

Students signed up for two hour-long wellness programs including baking, pet therapy, creating music or art, volunteering in Hartford, and enjoying physical activities such as pickleball, ice skating, dodgeball, hiking, fly fishing, and fitness training. Students who shared three things they were grateful for in their activity sessions also received raffle tickets for wellness-themed prizes. 

When asked what Wellness Day meant to them, Sixth Former John Donohue said, “It’s a great opportunity for everyone to get together, relax, step back from the classroom and just enjoy some activities and time together.” Mya Polastry ’27 explained, “We get to practice gratitude and do fun activities together as a community.” 
 
The planned activities created special opportunities for community connections. Ethan Villacis ’27 shared, “It’s fun to hang out with my friends at the new 2026 pavilion that we have. This afternoon I’m playing pickleball with all my buddies.” Sixth Former Monty Gantz ’26 said, “It’s a great day to relax and get outside and do some activities like taking dogs for a walk and enjoying some ice cream.” 

Throughout the day’s activities students reiterated the theme of gratitude: 

“I’m grateful that squash season is starting!” said Emily Fonner ’26.

Matt Shea ’26 laughingly said, “Today I’m grateful for friends, family and food—I love food!” 

Nikki Ni ’29 said, “I’m grateful for the people working in the dining hall and the pit crews because they work really hard every day to serve us delicious meals.”

After the second activity session, students enjoyed a snack in Gund Dining Hall and were excited to have a chance to win raffle prizes. As students made their way across campus to regularly scheduled afternoon activities, they took the spirit of Wellness Day with them and were grateful for the time to recenter, relax, and restart before Thanksgiving break.