Trinity Embarks on the Building of a Health and Fitness Center
Commemorative Naming Opportunities Available
In 1992, Sister Michelle Germanson, O.P., became the first President of Trinity High School. Her vision was to elevate Trinity High School to be the premier Catholic all-girls school in metropolitan Chicago. She set out to accomplish this goal through the values of the Sinsinawa Dominican Congregation.
A letter from the President, Michelle Germanson, O.P.
As a result, Trinity High School became the first school in Illinois to adopt block scheduling and the second school in Illinois to become fully accredited as an International Baccalaureate World School; both goals were accomplished by Fall, 1995.
Recognizing that student potential resides in mind, body and spirit, she envisioned the development of a new and much-needed athletic facility.
With Sister Michelle's direction and the committed endeavors of the Board of Directors, a strategy was developed to construct this new facility, the first construction site on Trinity's grounds since 1962. Now we are poised to embark on the addition of a Health and Fitness Center. Located on the mezzanine level of the Sister Michelle Germanson Athletic Facility, Trinity’s future Health and Fitness Center will be designed exclusively for women and will feature:
- A cardio and strength fitness studio
- Health education center
- Dance – pilates – yoga studio
- Nutrition program
Goals for Health and Fitness Facility
The creation of a health and fitness facility devoted to taking care of the bodies and minds of young adolescent women is integral to the fulfillment of our mission as a school. The National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE) recommends “aerobic exercise to improve students’ cardiovascular fitness, exercise designed to improve strength and flexibility, motor skills developed through instruction in a variety of movement forms (sports, dance, gymnastics, and aquatics) and instruction about how physical activity improves personal health and well-being,” (Girls Incorporated) 12/2007.
Trinity is committed to aligning ourselves with these trends and has identified the following goals for our Health and Fitness Facility.
- To provide a supervised state-of-the-art health and fitness center equipped with technology to serve the athlete, dancer, and non-athletic student .
- Offer dance, pilates and yoga to improve flexibility, strength and prevent injuries
- Achieve students personal fitness goals with prescribed strength and conditioning training
- Implement computer technology that will allow students to track nutrition, fitness and health goals
- Establish feedback loops from coaches, trainers and faculty on necessary athletics in order to prevent injury.
- To increase the awareness of health and fitness issues as they relate to the three most pressing health issues: diabetes, cardiac/stroke and cancer.
- Initiate a healthy lifestyle program for each student identifying a regime for growth and improvement
- Assess and chart student’s health progress
- Assess effects of exercise on attendance, health, scholastics and overall psychological well being.
- To expand Trinity High School’s relationship with the community through health and fitness programs and camps.
- Offer mother daughter programs
- Expand current community summer camp program
- Expand Trinity and Dominican University collaboration through shared classes and faculty
How will Trinity Measure Success?
- By the increase in the incorporation and implementation of varied types of fitness opportunities
- Data from students who have tracked their nutrition / fitness progress on computers over their four high school years
- Obtaining examples from students taking responsibility for achieving a more “fit” lifestyle
- Student feedback relating that they are making more conscientious decisions regarding their personal health
- Lowering the percent of athletic based injuries
- Tracking progress of an improved “fit for life” student pilot group
- Curricular enhancements in health and nutrition classes, dance and dance troupe and athletics
Event chair, Trinity Alumna, and physician Dr. Mary Ann Malloy says, “This culture of strength relates not only to physical well being, enhanced self image, relationships, decision making and overall heightened self esteem. It has a far reaching impact on our present students and on the young women we will be able to educate in the future, truly preparing them for a life of significance.”
A letter from the Health and Fitness Chair, Dr. Mary Ann Malloy.
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Trinity Society