This year, Cheryl Wiker started her first year as Dougherty Valley’s new Wellness Center Coordinator. In her new role, Wiker visits individual students for counseling and plans the Wellness Center’s activities.
Wiker plans to continue what Catherine Perez, last year’s wellness center’s coordinator, was doing previously. Some examples include the suicide prevention month events in Septmember, where the wellness center brings out dogs and gues speakers in addition to Mindful Monday, where students can come in and de-stress for the week.
Wiker chose DVHS because she “really liked the community and the location.” Wiker thought DVHS’s location was close to the city as one of her daughters lives there and the other is attending UC Davis.
“When I interviewed, everybody was so kind and very welcoming at the school district. It looked like they had a really nice program. So it just seemed like a great fit for me.” Wiker explained.
As the wellness center coordinator, Wiker works with many people. Rachel Ratcliff, the wellness center intake assistant, collaborates with Wiker to make the Wellness Center function. Ratcliff usually hangs by the front desk, greeting students and helps Wiker plan the Wellness Center’s activities.
“We collaborate all the time…I’m the front line [and]she is kind of behind the scenes, but we develop the ideas[based on] what we see needed in the Wellness Center.” Ratcliff said.
Good mental health is important for students because it helps them feel happier. The Wellness Team plans events to inform students, so students can obtain better mental health. Wiker and the DVHS Leadership Wellness Team work together to plan these events that inform students.
Senior Khushi Mehrotra, who is part of the Wellness Team, said, “We meet with [Perez] once a week or once every two weeks to tell her what we’re working on and make sure we’re all on the same page.”
Mehrotra explained some of the events that Wiker helps them plan are “de-stress fests and bringing therapy animals to the school.”
Wiker is looking out for the students here at DVHS. When asked what she would like students to know about her, Wiker responded, “I would like them to know that I’m caring and I’m supportive.”
Mehrotra provided a similar description of Wiker when she recalled her first impression of the coordinator.
“She was super excited to meet us because this is her first time having a specific team of kids that work on wellness activities,” Mehrota said.
Outside of DVHS, Wiker loves the outdoors, including skiing in the winter and traveling in the summer. Consequently, this characteristic of hers has also manifested in how she supports students.
“I like to be active, so if [a student] wants to go for a walk instead of sitting in my office, we can do that.” Wiker said.
Additionally, Wiker is also a big fan of live music. She listens to a variety of different types of genres, ranging from folk music and bluegrass to classical rock.
At DVHS, Wiker hopes to help students become their best selves and make a difference. She feels that by being here daily, she is able to help students.
“It is great to make money, but it is even better to do something of value.” Wiker said.
