By Aanika Sethi

Photo credit: Jenny Lindner.

If you have ever seen students dressed as vegetables, there is a superb chance they are a part of the Middle School program Link It & Live It. 

The Collegiate Handbook reads that clubs and activities are designed to “broaden a student’s education beyond the traditional academic disciplines,” from the Lower School to the Upper School. Each division has its own enrichment and club opportunities with times dedicated throughout the school day for meetings. Middle Schoolers usually have three activity periods each week, with a variety of opportunities. Some of the offerings include band, Model United Nations, dance, STEM competition, and, of course, Link It & Live It. 

I spoke to Middle School PE teacher and coach Jenny Lindner, who also serves as Employee Wellness Coordinator. Lindner has taught and coached at Collegiate for 14 years, and received her BA from Franklin & Marshall College and MS from McDaniel College. Along with her official roles, she is in charge of the Middle School enrichment program Link It & Live It.  

Photo courtesy of Collegiate School.

Link It & Live It was created in 2008 by Collegiate parent Kathy Wrenn, a former PE teacher and Employee Wellness Coordinator. Link It & Live It is a whole-school wellness program where all types of wellbeing are discussed, including being substance free, screen time, healthy relationships, and nutrition. In a 2019 Collegiate School interview with Weldon Bradshaw for his “Reflections” column, Wrenn detailed that she’s preparing “students to take care of themselves physically, mentally, and socially when they graduate.” She added that the “wellness program has created a mindset. That was our goal.”

In the Middle School, the program is entirely student-run, organized, and driven. Students meet once every two weeks to plan events and help share information about wellness throughout the community, outside of formal health and PE classes. Lindner said that the program is a “really awesome part of Middle School learning experience,” as it provides “opportunities for leadership” for the 7th and 8th Graders.

Photo credit: Jenny Lindner.

Link It & Live It has become an integral part of the Collegiate community, with Middle School students taking part, as well as a faculty health portion. For employees, there is an annual Wellness Fair, where faculty and staff can get flu shots, health screenings, and even test out massage chairs. Link It & Live It is not active in the Lower School currently, but before the COVID-19 pandemic, during town meetings, students would organize presentations and different activities all targeted around wellness. As for re-establishing the club in the Lower School, Lindner said, “I’d like to bring it back.”

Lindner said that the club emphasizes “all types of wellbeing.” Lindner believes that some of the most challenging wellness issues facing Middle School students today are unrealistic expectations stemming from social media, too much screen time, lack of sleep, and enough physical activity. With a variety of different areas, student interest and participation is paramount to the club’s success. However, Lindner added that this year’s 8th Graders have been a “fantastic and motivated group,” who have already put on a dodgeball tournament and have plans for a volleyball tournament this year.

Photo credit: Jenny Lindner.

My sister Ekta (‘29) is an 8th Grader and participating in Link It & Live It this year. She loves being a part of the club “because we get to plan games to make people’s lives more healthy and make people exercise.” When asked what she has learned, she said, “I have learned about leadership and how to help people,” which have been some of her favorite parts of the experience. She enjoys planning games and activities for the Middle School community, such as the dodgeball tournaments. Along with planning tournaments and activities, students speak at Middle School assemblies about “when and where our tournaments are going to be and the purpose of the club.” For her, the purpose of the club is to “encourage people to be more healthy and active.”

Lindner closed by saying that she is “thankful for all the students who have been part of it throughout the years, encouraging people to be themselves.”

All photos courtesy of Collegiate School.