Written by: Ansley Hall and published in The Martinsburg Journal on March 4, 2025, link to the article HERE.
MARTINSBURG — Through the Martinsburg Health and Wellness Initiative, Martinsburg High School students and teachers are working together to create a wellness space and fitness trail to promote both physical and mental health.
By putting down their phones and spending time outside, students can concentrate better and feel connected to others.
Social studies teacher Derek Gallagher has been teaching for a few years. He noticed that his students had a hard time remembering things he taught. They remember what they need to pass the test but then forget everything they learned as soon as it’s over.
Not only that, but since students are often stuck inside and spend most of their time on technology, many of them were struggling with their mental health. Gallagher wanted to find a way to make learning more meaningful, while also encouraging them to get moving. He created the Martinsburg Health and Wellness Initiative to start making a change.
“We are doing a real disservice to our students,” Gallagher said. “They spend the whole day inside, on their devices, and then we wonder why they aren’t feeling well. We can’t expect anything to change if we keep doing the same thing. We need to change the environment.”
Through this initiative, Gallagher worked with his students and several teachers to create a wellness space, which includes 25 raised beds where they grow herbs, potatoes, carrots, strawberries, figs, garlic, sunflowers and more. They also have workout equipment that includes a pull-up bar, kettlebells, jump ropes and indoor equipment such as an assault bike.
Every day, Gallagher takes his students to the space to participate in different competitive movement challenges, encouraging them to get moving. After each cycle, the class with the most points will win a special prize, such a field trip to learn how to play pickleball or doing tie dye projects together. On Monday, classes were tasked with lifting a kettlebell 10 times, then getting points by throwing a football or basketball into a basketball hoop.
Their current project is to create a fitness trail named after guidance counselor Les Smith, who promoted health among students. The goal is to have a gravel trail that travels down the front of the school, goes along the fence by the wellness space, turns back towards Queen Street and wraps back to the school. Different fitness obstacles will be placed along the trail, which will be open to the community.
Gallagher has seen amazing results. By doing something as simple as encouraging students to spend time outside and moving, he’s seen students get outside their comfort zone, make new friendships and create a sense of community. He isn’t “reinventing the wheel,” as he put it, but creating the space they need to thrive.
“I think these kids are awesome,” Gallagher said. “They deserve an environment that fosters health and wellness and not disease.”
Gallagher and his students are currently raising money for the project. They need $15,000 to complete the trail and are planning a Student vs. Faculty Basketball Fundraiser on May 14 to help raise support.
To donate to the project, visit HERE.