Challenge Day program at SBHS helps teens understand their angst
is not unique
Teenagers are faced with tough issues everyday
– everything from age-old peer pressures, drama with friends and
parents to increasing cases of self-mutilation, depression and
other mental illnesses. Even students who seem to have it all could
be falling apart inside.
Challenge Day program at SBHS helps teens understand their angst is not unique
Teenagers are faced with tough issues everyday – everything from age-old peer pressures, drama with friends and parents to increasing cases of self-mutilation, depression and other mental illnesses. Even students who seem to have it all could be falling apart inside.
Challenge Day is a program designed to help stop the alienation and prevent violence by getting kids to talk to one another and open up about their lives and the things they experience on a regular basis. Rape, eating disorders, family dysfunction, and depression aren’t topics that kids talk about openly, but when given a nonjudgmental outlet and shown that they are not alone with these problems, it opens eyes and allows for communication, according to Challenge Day organizers.
Isolation isn’t the result of not having others around, rather a lack of connection with others, program organizers say. The process of teens talking to other teens tears down the walls of separation, creates connection and support among participants, and inspires people to live in an environment of compassion, acceptance and respect.
San Benito High School has been participating in Challenge Day since 2001, according to San Benito High School Counselor Jeanie Churchill. Issues of separation, isolation and loneliness are the root cause of a wide range of negative teen behaviors, such as intimidation, bullying, stereotyping, racism, violence, suicide, and the use of drugs, alcohol and tobacco, organizers say.
The program was started in Martinez by Rich & Yvonne St. John-Dutra, who are educators that were concerned about teen problems. Administrators at San Benito High School first heard about the program after several of them, including counselor Jim Caffiero, attended a workshop in Salinas.
After that the high school applied for and was awarded a grant that allowed them to put on the first challenge day at the high school. That was back in 2001, since that time the high school has put on at least six more sessions, sometimes twice per year.
“Beginning in 2003 we started working with local sponsors to help us put on the program, since it costs $2,500 per session. [The late] Gary Goularte was instrumental in getting the Oddfellows to sponsor several of the sessions,” Churchill said.
The program shows students that they are not alone in whatever they may be experiencing and shows them how to be a powerful influence in other students’ lives.
For each session 100 students are selected either by their teachers, their peers or by nominating themselves to participate.
The people that attend the programs gain a deeper understanding for themselves as well as their peers and become instruments of change. At first its light and humorous, there are games and ice-breakers, but as the program progresses through the day the topics get more serious and things gradually move toward more discussions about the issues that teens deal with daily.
“It’s powerful and intense and very emotional,” said senior Emily Medina. “For some it’s life-changing. It gets above the judgment and allows people to relate to their peers. You see people who seem to have it all together and you suddenly understand what they’re really going through. You start to understand your peers for who they really are.”
Caffiero has done something like 15 challenge days and said that the changes that occur in the students are amazing.
“I’ve seen major changes in students. The program is a springboard for understanding. They see things from a different point of view; it helps kids deal with wounded parents and makes situations more bearable,” Caffiero said.
This year Jennifer MacFalls, another senior, is organizing a fundraising effort to try to continue challenge day. He and other organizers are going around and looking for donations to help put continue putting on the program. They are also looking for volunteers to help facilitate.
Pat O’Donnell can be reached at [email protected].
