Challenge Day

For those who don't know what challenge Day is, I can to some degree explain what it is. Challenge Day is a day devoted to high schoolers who want to connect with other kids in the school with various activities. These activities range from getting up and hugging multiple random kids in a room to sharing a very personal story to a small group. All these activities stir up different emotions from happiness to sorrow and grief.

Challenge Day was the best high school experience I've ever had because I felt like everyone in the room was my friend now. I no longer judged anyone for the weight, appearance, or friend group. I accepted that everyone has an emotional story worth sharing, and who knows? Just one small action and set off a very negative reaction because of their emotional state. I felt like for once people we allowed to listen to my very emotional story about my Dad and not judge me, but accept my story and comfort me. I can't remember the last time I actually cried in front of people, I'm not the emotional type of person who likes to share their life stories to everyone. But this was a problem that Challenge Day helped me relieve.

The most powerful activity we did during Challenge Day was the "Step over the line" activity, in which the 125 participants cross the line if the statement has ever pertained to them. It was so eye opening to see how much tragedy we all go through and in our lives. Besides the small group activity this was the most emotional activity, not for me but for everyone else.
Overall, Challenge Day was a life changing experience that I'm really happy to have been a part of.