| Calling
it one of the best programs she’s seen in over 25 years in education,
Nancy Lusby, Yosemite High health teacher and peer communications
advisor, is once again spearheading the effort to bring the Challenge
Day program to YHS.
The program will be held on the YHS campus February 24 and 25. Approximately
100 students will be trained each day, along with several staff members.
Lusby describes Challenge Day as “an attempt for everyone to see each
other as human beings with common problems. We tend to think we are
the only one with a given problem.”
Professional facilitators direct the day’s activities as students
and adults participate as peers.
Last year students expressed amazement that the adults they see every
day experience many of the same issues they do.
One of the activities during Challenge Day is called “crossing the
line.” The facilitator makes a comment, such as “I have had my feelings
hurt when someone made fun of me.”
Anyone for whom that statement is true crosses the line.
Last year, students and adults crossed the line together time after
time prompting one student to say:
“The best part of the day was when we crossed the line. Most of us
go through life thinking that we are the only ones who have the problems
we have, but this exercise showed us that we never go through anything
alone and there are always people we can talk to.”
Another person called crossing the line “the biggest eye opener I’ve
ever had in my life. It gave me a different perspective toward people,
it gave me a different outlook on life and school and it made me realize
what was going on in my school and how I have treated people over
the years. It changed the way I look at people.”
Challenge Day encourages people to meet those who have different interests
and to make new friends.
It teaches participants, students and adults alike, that other people
experience the same pain and frustration, joy and delight, as they
do.
One of the challenges of Challenge Day for Lusby is how to raise the
almost $10,000 it costs to put on the two-day event.
Students in the Peer Communication class decorated a Christmas tree
last year for the annual auction and they plan to do the same this
year.
Clubs, organizations, businesses and individuals donated money last
year.
So far this year, over $500 has been pledged and the school has received
a $3000 grant through the Madera County Health Department.
Lusby and students hope to visit service clubs between now and February
to discuss the program and ask for any assistance that might be available.
Any organization or club that would like to know more about Challenge
Day can leave a voice mail for Lusby at Yosemite High School, 683-4667
ext. 289.
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