Steps To Choosing Your Diet!

Displays for our Speak Out

By: Brandall Bernal, Katherine Roldan, Olanny Medina, Yejin Jang

Not only does obesity give you a bad look, did you know obesity can lead to angina (chest pain), cancer, diabetes, heart attack, high blood pressure, joint pain, metabolic syndrome, stroke and other horrible side effects? 

Each of our groups in Mr. Pultinas’ Advanced Literary Criticism class have specialized in different topics that all inform students at DeWitt Clinton of how a bad food choice can affect their lives. Topics range from fast food to cholesterol, obesity, diabetes, animal cruelty, the dangers of fast food, the importance of a plant based diet, etc. Each group did research on their given topic to get a better understanding of the assignment. Each group designed posters that were hung in the cafeteria with statistics, pictures and advertisements. In addition, Mr. Pultinas created a manifesto out of student responses and his own beliefs.  This is extremely important because most of the information we share, people may not know, which is why they keep making the wrong food choices. The more we inform our students, maybe they’ll think twice before eating fatty substances like McDonalds and increasing their chances of becoming obese.  After we did some research and put it on paper and poster paper, we organized a speak-out called, “Occupy Lunch, Period!”

During our speak-out there were both positive and negative aspects. During 6th period the students in the cafeteria were rowdy and rude towards us. But during 7th period the audience was much more cooperative. Although our microphone was low and it was kind of difficult to hear us at times, the students enjoyed the drums and dancing we provided as entertainment. We also handed out samples of healthy foods; some students liked it while others didn't. All in all, we tried our best to get our message across and the students that took time out of their lunch period to hear us out have benefited most.

These are some things our classmates had to say:

“I played a song called “Stairway to Heaven” while Edenized read a poem about health and what bad foods do to our body. I feel good about what I did. I had fun and I believe the song helped attract a bit more attention along with Atta and Omar’s drumming.” – John S. Lawson Jr.

“Each of the group members basically researched many facts about our topic which was obesity. We then printed out pictures and slogans that were powerful enough to help motivate people to eat healthier.” – Michelle Jamal.

“I gained more understanding about obesity.” – Yejin Jang.

“Three negative outcomes were that the cafeteria was too loud, not a lot of people paid attention, and some people in the cafeteria were being rude to the presenters.” – Juan Garcia.

“It benefited most of the students in Mr. Pultinas’ class and the guests that came to the speak-out.” – Wendie Tejeda.

“We got our points across.” “… Students enjoyed the music.” – Ashley Carter. 

Danny takes charge during the Speak Out

Plans For The Future

During the past few weeks, our Witt Seminar groups have worked on poster designs, classroom visits, and another speak-out. Our poster designs will be posted on bulletin boards around the halls of DeWitt Clinton. They will be located on the third floor; one will in the library and the other one on a bulletin board. One of our poster groups has developed an idea of a fist punching through unhealthy and fast foods. These visuals will catch the attention of our students and educate them about alternatives to the foods that harm us and cause health disparities and/or complications. To learn more about our mission, another group will be holding a second speak-out in the library on Thursday, January 12.   They will elaborate issues like diabetes, obesity, fast foods, plant-based diets and more. We plan to improve on the last speak out held in the lunchroom. This new speak-out will include a power-point presentation, a speech, entertainment with music, and the do’s and don’ts of how to stay healthy. This will educate and at the same time engage our listeners to the message we’re trying to express. Both the speak-out and the classroom visit groups will prepare and practice their presentations for our class beforehand.