Press Release
For immediate attention

Nationally-Recognized Challenge Day Program Delivers Lasting Benefit to Area Students Local Support Organization Formed: Event Planned May 1 at the Hippodrome

April 13, 2004. Gainesville, Florida.

In the wake of successful Challenge Day programs in local high and middle schools, a group of educators, administrators and community members has joined together to establish a permanent presence of this nationally-recognized program in Alachua County schools.

Challenge Day is a dynamic 2-day program that gives students lasting tools to improve peer relationships and self-esteem. Used in schools across the United States, Challenge Day has been documented to help reduce the incidence of school violence and bullying. In Alachua County, the program has been delivered to hundreds of students at schools such as Ft. Clarke, Howard Bishop, Buchholz, Lincoln and Eastside.

The goal of the local Challenge Day support organization, the Alachua County Circle of Change, is to expand on the success of the program in these schools and to bring its powerful tools to all of Alachua County's middle and high school students. To this end, on the afternoon of May 1, the newly-formed organization will host a public event at the Hippodrome State Theatre from noon to 4 pm. Designed to introduce the program to the community, inform and entertain, the event will feature the following:

• Speakers (teachers, students, administrators, and adult facilitators) sharing their personal Challenge Day experiences.
• An Emmy-award winning documentary (The Teen Files: Surviving High School) featuring students' life-changing experiences in Challenge Day, plus a shorter introductory video.
• Literature and educational materials presenting Challenge Day concepts.
• Opportunities to meet with the local group of enthusiastic Challenge Day supporters and learn ways to help.
• Live music from Other Voices and the Weeds of Eden.
• A silent auction of goods and services donated from local businesses and individuals.

Admission to the event is free, with optional donations. For additional information about Challenge Day and more details about its major impact in school districts from Key West to Wyoming, visit either the national web site (www.ChallengeDay.org), the local organization web site (www.AlachuaCircle.org), or call Richard Allen or Susan Mastin at 378-4357.

See you there. Be the change.