The annual Women's Health and Wellness Chocolate Festival, a community-funded bake sale and information expo to support a local charity hosted by the Women's Resource Center, brought confections and health concerns to the AUSC Ballroom Wednesday, Nov. 19.
"The way we try to bring people in is through selling chocolate, because you know people don't always want to go to a health fair," said Vi Nguyen, senior in Spanish and co-chair of Women's Health Auburn. "Chocolate is just something that a lot of people have in common, we all like sweets. There are so many services that most people don't know about, that's just one of our main goals is to put that awareness out there."
A $5 donation allowed guests to gather different confectionary creations ranging from brownies and cupcakes to cookies and cheesecake.
Nguyen said proceeds from the event will go toward the Miracle League of East Alabama, a baseball league that uses a specialized field that allows people with physical and cognitive disabilities the opportunity to play.
"[The League] has gotten big enough to where I've started an announcing program," said Danielle Tadych, junior in environmental science and announcer for the Miracle League of East Alabama. "We went from having about 50 or so players our first season to almost 200 now. I'm grateful that Women's Health decided to pick the Miracle league for their organization since we're steadily growing."
Tadych said the Miracle League is developing plans to include other sports in the future, but is sticking with baseball for the time being.
Annie Penrose, graduate student in physiology and registered campus dietician used the opportunity to inform students about the importance of proper eating during finals.
Penrose said promoting awareness about the Miracle League and women's health wasn't the only effect of the Chocolate Festival.
"My philosophy with food is that everything fits in with moderation, so I think it absolutely fits into a healthy diet, and if you love it then you can find ways to fit it in," Penrose said. "Especially with the stress of finals, people turn to food as a coping mechanism when they're stressed, or forget about eating because they're so stressed. In reality eating helps fuel our brains, its one of those factors like sleep, studying and eating well that our body needs."
A confectionary contest was held at the end of the Chocolate festival, awarding the best in show in a variety of categories.
Chloe Chaudhury, senior in biochemistry, won "Best Novelty Dish" for her Mint Oreo balls.
Lexi Burkard, senior in biomedical science, won the "Cookie and Brownie" category with her Strawberry Pillow cookies.
Ashlea Willoughby, freshman in pre-biosystems engineering, won the "Best Cake" prize for her Chocolate Mousse cupcakes.
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