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Neighbors | Alexis Bartolomucci.One of the Cardinal Mooney students rode the bike that the Oh Wow Children's Museum brought in during Yes Fest on March 22.
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Neighbors | Alexis Bartolomucci.Cardinal Mooney students practiced yoga with an instructor from the YMCA during Yes Fest on March 22.
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Neighbors | Alexis Bartolomucci.AT&T brought in an interactive demonstration for texting and driving the students at Cardinal Mooney could use during Yes Fest on March 22.
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Neighbors | Alexis Bartolomucci.Cardinal Mooney tried using circuits that were provided by the Oh Wow Children's Museum on March 22 during Yes Fest.
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Neighbors | Alexis Bartolomucci.The YMCA allowed students to try the ropes and boxing during Yes Fest at Cardinal Mooney on March 22.
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Neighbors | Alexis Bartolomucci.Cardinal Mooney students played with the dogs from K-9s for Compassion on March 22 during the annual Yes Fest.
By ALEXIS BARTOLOMUCCI
abartolomucci@vindy.com
Students from Cardinal Mooney High School learned to say “no” to drugs and “yes” to healthy choices during Mooney’s fourth annual YES Fest on March 22.
Cardinal Mooney hosts YES Fest to bring awareness to students about drugs and alcohol and how there are plenty of alternatives to having a good time. The students listened to guest speaker Eric Ungaro and then visited with 50 different organizations in the gymnasium.
“Students have the opportunity to say ‘no’ to drugs and ‘yes’ to healthy living,” said Ruth Mastriana, YES Fest coordinator and guidance department employee.
Ungaro, a Youngstown native and Howland High School teacher and coach, spoke to the students about his brother’s struggle with drugs. The students were able to listen to a great speaker share his story about living with someone who struggles with drugs and how it affects families and the community, as well as the individual who is struggling.
“I liked him a lot, he was very good. I liked the points that he made,” said student Gina Ricciardi about Ungaro.
The whole school, more than 500 students, attended the event. YES Fest was also open to the public which brought in parents and other members in the community. The students and guests had the opportunity to sign up and volunteer with the charities and organizations that were at the event.
“I learned a lot today. I didn’t realize there were these many local organizations around here that we can get involved in,” said Ricciardi.
Ricciardi said she had signed up to volunteer with a few charities including Habitat for Humanity and Animal Charities. She also took packets of information from other organizations she was interested in.
“There are so many other things to do with yourself to keep healthy,” said Mastriana.