BCSD Students are Stepping Up for Veterans in PE classes 

“We are here to shed light on mental health and its impact even on those who seem the strongest,” said BHS physical education teacher Nicole Sweeney.

Sweeney was talking to her students out on Bear Field as they got ready to walk the bleachers for the Step Up Challenge–a workout in honor of Chad Wilkinson, a longtime Navy Seal who took his own life after suffering a traumatic brain injury due to shock waves in combat overseas. The Step Up Challenge is a 1000 repetition, weighted step-up workout. Over the course of two days, students in each PE and health class had the option to climb bleachers with or without backpacks. They then learned about trauma, suicide and the need for mental health awareness.

This year, students across the district–at JFK, CV Starr and Wells–are participating in the challenge–modified for age level–to honor veterans, both past and present.  The hope is that students take a pause and reflect on the mental health issues facing our nation’s Vets.

As BHS and Wells, students walked up, down and around the bleachers; the PE teachers-who were all wearing red in honor of our veterans– occasionally stopped them to share a mental health statistic regarding veterans. At the same time, JFK students were running on the field with PE teacher Eric Bezzutto while CV Starr students were walking the bleachers on the opposite side of the field.

The bleachers include 22 steps, the number of veterans who take their lives daily. 

“Each step is meaningful,” explained Sweeney. “They served so we can be free–we are doing this so you are aware and can help if you see someone who needs help.”

Before they left the field, BHS students had the opportunity to sign a Brewster Schools Steps for Vets 2025 poster in honor of a veteran.

One student wrote his grandfather’s name: Dominic Lamorte, US Army.

Other veterans' names on the poster included: Donald Ford, Gennaro Vitale, William Strum, Richard O’Keefe, Daniel Gilmore, Jim Struzzi, Robert Struzzi, Raymond Lopresti, Corey Munz, Lucien Farron and Robert Belluzzi.

“By understanding the mental health challenges faced by veterans and the factors that contribute to these issues,” said Sweeney, “we can better support those who have served in the military and help them lead fulfilling lives after their service.”