Seven hundred Lehigh Valley residents gathered in Southern Lehigh’s gymnasium on November 19 for the annual healthy living expo. The expo, which was organized by SADD, has been hosted at Southern Lehigh the past four years.

“The expo has been happening annually for probably 20 years,” SADD adviser and physical education teacher Douglas Roncolato said. “It used to be a joint venture between Northampton and Lehigh County, but then we split and started having Lehigh Valley annual.”

Ever since the expo was started, its purpose has been to educate all age groups on the benefits of taking care of oneself through healthy eating, daily exercise, and reduction of stress. The addition of school clubs manning their own booths allowed the entire community to observe and admire students’ hard work and dedication.

“It’s a gathering where people from the school and community can learn or share healthy activities and food to benefit others in daily life,” sophomore and coordinator of the expo Jillian Werbisky said.

The expo serves as a great venue for school clubs, community organizations, and foundations to educate students on how to lead a healthy life, all while integrating the county. At the 2015 expo, about 20 clubs, at least six school districts, and 10 other venues were present.

“I think it’s really beneficial to the community because people from a lot of schools come and participate. We get to learn great stuff, too,” junior Georgian Fan said.

A handful of Southern Lehigh clubs took advantage of the great event by setting up multiple booths topped with decorations, flyers, and of course, food.

“I’m the vice president for SADD, so it’s great advertising for our club to get our word out,” senior Jordan Munoz said. “It helps bring the school community together.”

Among the outside attendees was the Power of Ten, an anti-tobacco group which has attended the expo for the past two years.

“It’s nice to get to know different people and everyone’s version of what they consider  healthy,” Power of Ten representative and Catasauqua High School sophomore Lasia Caraballo said.

While healthy living may not be what one expects high schoolers to enjoy, most of Southern Lehigh’s students were nothing but jubilous throughout the two and a half hour event.

“There’s lots of great food and lots of interesting clubs,” freshman Billy Duffy said.

Along with the students from multiple schools, teachers, and organization representatives, Southern Lehigh principal Mrs. Christine Siegfried also made an appearance.

“It’s a fabulous opportunity for students to display what they have learned. They’re presenting and sharing knowledge on different subject matter,” Siegfried said. “It’s real world.”

Though most students were delighted by the event, not all could give it five stars.

“I think there’s a couple tables that didn’t prepare very well,” senior Sam Johnson said.

Despite the hectic preparations for the event, SADD coordinators agreed that their hard work payed off.

“It seems like everyone is enjoying the expo a lot. Everyone is laughing and getting involved. That’s what makes it worth it, “ Werbisky said. “I can’t help but smile when I see what we all accomplished.”