Thanks to the vision of Bellin Fitness’ Kasey Ermis and the generous support of donor Thomas Awen, OHS Class of 1981, Bellin Fitness and Oconto High School launched the HIS Program — a powerful new initiative designed to help adolescent boys build healthy habits and resilience.
In a rural community like Oconto, where access to youth mental health resources is limited, the HIS Program fills a critical gap. The program focuses on educating young men about nutrition, physical fitness, mental well-being and self-confidence, while also creating a safe space for open discussion and personal growth.
The first cohort was led by an Emplify Health by Bellin behavioral specialist and a personal trainer. The students participated in sessions that included:
- Lessons on healthy eating and exercise science
- Mental health tools such as SMART goals and emotional exploration
- Peer mentoring and group discussions on identity, adversity and self-improvement
- Hands-on workouts and recreational activities to reinforce learning
Each session also included nutritious snacks to emphasize the importance of fueling the body and mind. By the end of the program, students reported significant improvements in confidence, physical health, emotional awareness and self-efficacy.
“The HIS program has helped me achieve my goals and showed me how to work out properly and work for what I want. The program is a vibe; you guys are cool,” said one student, Aiden. Another HIS student named Aiden added, “I learned how to better myself mentally and slow down. The program taught me how to be a better person in general.”
The HIS Program is more than a health initiative — it’s a movement to build stronger, more resilient young men in our communities. Donor Thomas Awen shared that the HIS Program's success is dedicated to the memory of his classmates who are no longer with us yet continue to inspire us. Together, we can continue building strong, confident and healthy young men in our community.