Chief Sealth International High School held Healthapalooza, a health information fair for Chief Sealth students, their families, teachers and staff Friday, April 9.

The school recognized National Public Health Week April 5-11. Sixteen Healthapalooza exhibitors had booths, including the UW School of Dentistry, the Willie Austin Foundation, Seattle Children’s Hospital/Odessa Brown Children’s Clinic (nutrition), Asian Counseling Referral Service (emotional/mental health) and the YMCA (exercise).Three Chief Sealth teachers provided health-related science and physics demonstrations on topics ranging from motion and movement to the chemical content of junk food. Whole Foods also donated healthy snacks for students to sample.

Chief Sealth Administrative Secretary Marta Sanchez organized this event.

"I'm working on my own personal health and I read the book, 'American Idle: A Journey Through Our Sedentary Culture' by Mary Collins," said Sanchez. "Our ancestors walked two to four miles a day. People in (Hurricane) Katrina could not walk five miles to save their lives. I want kids to learn the importance of good diet and exercise to help them avoid diabetes and lower their health care costs."

"People have gathered in booths to talk to the kids about nutrition, fitness, their physical, emotional health, fitness, and the fat content of foods," said Sealth Principal John Boyd. "We are a very obeses society, and childhood obesity is an important issue. There is so much cheap food that’s bad for you, like the 'dollar menu.' The more you can engage and talk to kids, the better I went to Sealth in '79 to '82 and I went right to the hamburger and french fry line. They were cooking with deep fried fat. Now it's baked, and every day we offer the option of salad and fresh fruit. I eat school lunch every day."

"I learned lots of stuff today," said Freshman Maddy Twombley. "I learn how to take my own blood pressure. It was normal, I eat pretty healthy."

"I was looking at the booth that showed the amounts of sugar in all the foods," said Kathryn Oliver, also a freshman. There's so much sugar in Coke and I was surprised how much sugar was in a Tootsie Roll Pop. The sugar amount is bigger than the actual 'thing.'"

Oliver was referring to a clear pouch filled with the equivalent amount of sugar displayed next to a Tootsie Roll Pop. The sugar appeared to be about three times the size of the candy. The pouch filled with 38 grams represented one can on Coke, and one student said he drank 12 cans of Coke every day.