Students participating in Challenge Day Wednesday at San Benito
High School were given the opportunity to be just themselves, even
if it’s not what is cool or popular.
It was a hefty challenge to give teens – to change the world.
Students participating in Challenge Day Wednesday at San Benito High School were given the opportunity to be just themselves, even if it’s not what is cool or popular.
“We’re challenging you to get serious,” said Kat Marzel, the Challenge Day leader. “We’re going to talk about things we believe should be talked about. The things that keep us apart should be bringing us together.”
The event addressed issues of violence, teasing, social oppression, racism, peer pressure, alcohol, drugs, harassment, suicide and conflict management. More than 100 SBHS students attended the one-day workshop led by 20 facilitators and 20 student mentors.
Students broke up into smaller groups with facilitators to talk about issues that effect them like teasing, bullying and racism.
Through a series of games, activities, group discussions, ice-breakers and trust-building exercises, students discussed their experiences and what they need from each other.
Marzel asked students what they needed at the workshop. They answered with a list that included respect, confidentiality, honesty, understanding, listening and open mindedness. Because of confidentiality issues, no names were to be used outside of the workshop.
One poignant exercise had students cross a line when they belonged in a certain category. These ranged from knowing or being homosexual to knowing or being someone who committed or thought about committing suicide.
Mentor and SBHS senior Mohammad Huweih said the exercise was important for students to experience.
“They see that they’re not the only ones out there,” he said. “It teaches them things aren’t as bad as they think.”
This was Huweih’s sixth time participating in Challenge Day. He said the workshop is so beneficial, it should be offered weekly. Currently, Challenge Day has been offered twice a year at SBHS since 1999.
“I felt good (afterward),” he said. “I participate (in the workshop) for selfish reasons – it motivates me. It makes me happy.”
Students also addressed how people should experience things and people outside of their comfort zone. Participants participated in games that allowed them to meet students outside of the cliques.
The “different game” had participants hook up with people who had different qualities than them – a different hair color, ethnicity, sex and size of family. With each new partner, the students shared something with each other – some way they’ve been judged, important things in their life and a person they look up to.
While in groups with facilitators and mentors, students talked about various issues, including rape and suicide, Huweih said.
Students invited to participate in the workshop were recommended by teachers or counselors or even a friend, said Jeanie Churchill, coordinator of Challenge Day and career advisor in the Career Center. Some students volunteer.
A various mix of students are invited to represent all types of groups on campus, she said. Mentors are students who have gone through training and facilitators are SBHS staff and community members.
Students have a lot of issues to deal with today, making Challenge Day so important, Churchill said.
She added that there are so many families dealing with divorce, abuse and alcoholism, that students feel they’re the only ones out there coping with these issues. These students are not worse off. When so much is going on in a child’s personal and home life, it’s hard to come to school and focus, she said.
“(Challenge Day) breaks down barriers that we set up. Kids realize they’re not the only ones that might be having certain issues,” Churchill said. “Other kids are going through the same thing. They know they’re not alone.”
And tearing down these barriers is a critical step in stopping violence and alienation that teens face everyday.
Churchill said she would like to see all freshmen go through the workshop, but funding is not available, yet.
Challenge Day is a non-profit organization that works in 26 states. It was established in 1987. For more information, go to www.challengeday.org.
