While most people spend their Valentines Day giving chocolates, flowers and jewelry to their loved ones, Ohio University Southern decided to put a different spin on the Hallmark holiday.

“Love Your Body,” an event focused on “celebrating yourself,” featured vendors providing information and services that ranged from STD screenings to massages.

“We took a different twist on Valentines Day,” Robert Pleasant, director of student services, said. “It’s always about someone else so we take this day to make it about you. We provide opportunities for our students, faculty, staff and the community where they can come and meet health professionals, get their blood pressure checked and others things that focus on good health and body image.”

The annual event is a chance for the community and the school to interact on health matters, Hope Morgan, OUS nursing student said.

“We are here with the student nursing association doing blood pressure screenings and overall healthcare screenings,” Morgan said. “It is a good thing to know your blood pressure because it can affect a lot of body functions.”

Morgan, who has participated in the event in previous years, said turnout is usually good. She said the event is beneficial to students who may be too busy with classes and work to go out into the community to see the health services offered to them.

One of the services offered was massages by an area masseur. Beth Willis, first year nursing student, said that was why she came out.

“I wanted to come get a free massage and check out to see what they have to offer here today,” Willis said. “I saw it advertised and thought I’d come check it out. I always have tension in my neck and he found where it hurt and worked it out. I’m kind of a blur now actually. As a student, you do anything you can do to help you get through the stress of school, and let me tell you, that did it.”

The event also featured Zumba demonstrations and representatives from the Ohio Army National Guard, Lawrence County Health Department, OUS Financial Aid Office and other health and community organizations throughout the Tri-State.

For photos of the event, see page 1C.