Inspired by the success of Challenge Day on its own campus, San
Benito High School decided to spread the program’s message of
respect and friendship further by boldly going where we’ve all gone
before: The eighth grade.
Hollister – Inspired by the success of Challenge Day on its own campus, San Benito High School decided to spread the program’s message of respect and friendship further by boldly going where we’ve all gone before: The eighth grade.
“This is about getting real,” said SBHS Counselor Jim Caffiero, addressing an emotionally-charged crowd of students. “It’s about taking risks. It’s about letting people know how you really feel.”
SBHS hosted its first Mix It Up Day for over 60 eighth-graders at Spring Grove School Thursday, in an effort to prepare students for the sometimes exciting, sometimes painful challenges of high school life – as well as promoting a culture of tolerance and interaction among the participants.
“The Mix It Up program is really tailored for middle school students. They face different issues from high school students, but they’re similar,” said SBHS Assistant Principal Krystal Lomanto, one of the event’s facilitators. “We talk about the challenges of becoming a high school student and it gives them a chance to become familiar with people at the high school – it gives them a support network. We’re trying to help bridge the gap when they make that transition.”
Adult facilitators and student mentors from SBHS, mostly sophomores and juniors, spent three hours with Spring Grove’s eighth-grade class, leading activities and discussions designed to get students to open up to their fellow classmates.
While most of the activities were all in the spirit of fun, the day had its solemn moments, including the Cross the Line activity, borrowed from the high school Challenge Day. Students and staff alike were asked to cross a line taped down across the gym if they had undergone a given experience, such as teasing or discrimination, and look around to see who had crossed with them. The exercise was to help them realize the fact that they were not alone.
“I think the eighth-graders were a lot cooler than anyone expected,” said Emily Medina, an SBHS mentor. “Nobody hung back, everyone had fun when it was time to have fun and got serious when it was time to be serious… I feel really good about this, because everyone has problems, and I’m glad I was able to help some people talk about their feelings.”
The Spring Grove students felt equally positive about the morning’s events.
“This was an awesome day,” said eighth-grader Samantha Martin. “I think I have more friends, and more respect for people… Before, you couldn’t really talk to anyone you weren’t good friends with, but now I think everyone’s going to be more comfortable together.”
SBHS plans to take Mix It Up day to Rancho San Justo Middle School next month, and hopes that by next year every eighth-grade student will have the opportunity to participate, even if that means making several trips to the bigger junior high schools.
“Working with Spring Grove is really interesting, because most of these kids have known each other since kindergarten,” Lomanto said. “It’s a whole different demographic than if you’re bringing this to a bigger school, but I think everyone can benefit from this.”
Spring Grove Principal Howard Chase echoed Lomanto’s sentiment, and was pleased that Mix It Up Day proved so successful.
“I think it’s important that these kids be able to make a connection before they take this big step in their life when they go to high school,” he said. “Spring Grove is like one big family, and this sort of extends that family and ensures their success… I would recommend this for any eighth- grade class. I really believe in it.”
SBHS adopted the Challenge Day program in 1999, shortly after the tragic events at Columbine High School, in an effort to unite the school’s diverse student body. The program has run several times a year since then, bringing groups of students together 100 at a time to work out their differences and find common ground.
Danielle Smith covers education for the Free Lance. Reach her at 637-5566, ext. 336 or ds****@fr***********.com
