Challenge Day

I had a life changing experience at Challenge Day. I am a second year teacher, and it was my first time to participate. The students arrived through a tunnel of faculty and parents cheering them on. They didn’t know they were stepping into an emotionally charged day they will never forget.

We played games that helped us recognize how many similarities all of us have. We moved back and forth between activities and talking about being “real.” We talked about how people identify us compares to an iceberg. The above the water part (our image and how we’re perceived) being only 10% of who we really are. Then they broke us up into small groups (5-6 people) and each person answered the phrase “if you really knew me…” for 2 minutes. I was amazed at the depth of these students and what they had been through. It gave the students a safe place to talk about the underwater “real” things they would normally not talk about. We supported and celebrated each person as they finished talking about who they really are. I was overwhelmed by the things these students have gone through. They have experienced parents with drug addictions, deep depression with attempts at suicide, not feeling safe or loved at home, extreme pressure to succeed, death for parents, family member and friends and deep feelings of inadequacy.

I was amazed as the day continued and they opened their hearts and arms to each other. We ate lunch together in our new small group families. At this point we felt like a family, we knew some of the real feelings and circumstances of each other’s lives. We couldn’t help but love each other after sharing some of the intimate feelings of our lives.

When we came back from lunch we did the “across the line” activity that required everyone to be completely quiet for twenty five minutes. Asking 100 + teenagers to be quiet for that long and then for it to actually happen was powerful. The facilitator asked questions like: “Who has experienced ___ in their life?” Then those that crossed the line and turned back to face the group hadn’t had that challenge in their life. Those on the side who hadn’t experienced it sent them love by holding up the sign language sign for “I Love You.” Connections were made and breakthroughs were occurring..

We finished and spent the rest of the day processing what we had learned. I watched as a popular “jock” made a public apology to another student in the room. I watched in awe as a girl shared, “I’m not going to sulk anymore. I’m going to make friends this year. I’m going to be the change.” I watched new friends with their arms around each other in love and support throughout the day as emotions were high. I teared up with overwhelming feelings of love for these students challenging each other to be the change. Some of the challenges put forth were as simple as to say hi to each other in the hall. Another student challenged them to accept and love themselves.

I won’t forget the courage and bravery they displayed ad to share and open up to each other. My only wish was that more students would get to participate. No doubt about it, there will be more love, more acceptance, and more friendship in the halls of Lone Peak High School this year not only from the students but also from the newly opened eyes of this teacher.

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