High School Opens Doors And Minds To Challenge Day

Freeport High School's small gym was filled with excitement and wonder as students and staff members embraced an opportunity to promote social change in their school.

Challenge Day, the nationally acclaimed program known for inspiring students to tear down the walls that separate them, worked its magic in Freeport during two days — one day for 9th and 10th graders and another for 11^th and 12^th graders — before moving on to several other school districts on Long Island.

Challenge Day leaders, who call themselves Ray-Ray and Sela, led 100 students and 50 staff members each day in exercises that brought everyone in the room "to the same level." Like a well-orchestrated symphony, the leaders had the groups moving about the gym, pairing up with "strangers," dancing with their partners and responding to questions such as, "can you name three things you are most happy about?," "how do you want to be treated here today?," and "what are your dreams?".

At one point the leaders mixed up the groups by asking participants to find someone with a different hair style than theirs, then lock arms and dance, as the leaders blared music. Then Sela shouted out, "In 30 seconds explain to that person your most embarrassing moment."

This was just the beginning of the six-hour program that by the end, left students and teachers emotionally spent yet motivated to work together toward a happier, more nurturing school environment. Throughout the day, the program also covered healthy ways to get feelings out, to build connections between diverse group members, and to empower both teens and adults to take what they’ve learned and put it into action.

"The program is great," said tenth-grader Janibell Delarosa. "I met a lot of people I didn’t know. It changed my perception about some of the students and teachers. My attitude about school has definitely changed."

Ninth-grader Ilka Henriquez said, "I learned to stop judging people and that we should all just be kind to each other. I think the school will be a better place."

The California-based program started in 1987 by Yvonne and Rich Dutra St. John who worked for years counseling youth and their families. It has been credited with reducing teen drug and alcohol abuse, student absenteeism, and teasing and violence in schools.

"It was awesome," said Kimberlee Pierre, principal of Freeport High School. "So many emotional doors opened. I think many of the teachers were shocked to find out how many students had gone through so many struggles — yet they are still here, going to class and working toward their degree. From a teacher’s standpoint it provided them with the opportunity to see what the students go through and helped them connect with the students emotionally, not just from an educational perspective. And, I think the students saw that their teachers are human."

At one point during the program, participants were asked to cross a line if they had a childhood.

"Only about half of the kids crossed the line. It broke my heart," Pierre said. In fact, by the end of the emotionally draining experience there wasn’t a dry eye to be found.

To begin the healing process, guidance counselors and social workers were on hand to talk to students the following day. Participants were also able to meet with peer mediation leaders — a neutral party who helps resolve students’ issues.

Many teens who did not take part in the program are "begging us to bring it back," Pierre added. "We will do whatever we can to bring it back for those students."

Alicia Brenneis, a social worker at the high school, brought the program to Freeport after seeing it in action at Huntington High School two years ago. Representatives from fourteen other Long Island school districts observed the program at Freeport High School to see it was right for their own districts. Districts that have already scheduled a Challenge Day include Amagansett, Riverhead, East Rockaway and Deer Park.