Testimonials

"What an incredible program Challenge Day is! I have seen a tremendous change in behavior of the students who attended Challenge Day when presented for Buchholz High School. Students are reaching out to each other, making sure no one eats alone or is bullied or teased. I know of three students who felt confident enough, after realizing they were not alone in some of their feelings (as shown through the "step over the line" activity), to seek help for some repressed suicidal tendencies. These students were counseled and referred for additional professional help. Challenge Day not only touches lives, it saves lives!!!"

Betty Merrill, English teacher, Buchholz High School

"Challenge Day has been a wonderful community building process for our school. Challenge Day breaks down barriers between groups of students and promotes friendship, unity, and respect."

Jeff Charbonnet, Principal, Howard Bishop Middle School

"Challenge Day was one of those few experiences that really open your eyes to life. The two days there were the best two days of some of these kids lives. Not only did they learn about respect and the differences that they share with one another, they learned a lot about themselves, their values and their outlook on life. For me, it was an experience I will never forget. You truly felt connected and a sense of belonging in this sometimes overcrowded, hectic world. For at least those two days, everyone felt special."

Jen Braunscheidel, Guidance Counselor, Buchholz High School

"It was powerful to see the strength in the bonding of all the Challenge Day participants and how willing they are to make our school better."

Donna Kidwell, Principal, Ft. Clark Middle School

From some Alachua County students that participated in Challenge Day:

"I learned that even though we don't notice it, we judge so many people, yet we have no idea of what their lives are like. Challenge day should be available to all students at Buchholz."

"I definitely think it would be great if everyone experienced Challenge Day. It would help change things - less judging and fighting, and more getting along and caring."

"It let me know that I wasn't alone."

"One thing that really started to open my eyes was when we all sat in a circle and one by one people told life stories that were similar to mine. I felt relieved - not that they have had problems in their lives, but that I wasn't alone and that me and these people that I seemed so different from weren't all that different to begin with."

"Challenge Day taught me how to open up myself to other people. I used to close myself and acted like someone I wasn't. After Challenge Day, I started to be myself."

"We all need people or things to help us in our troubled times. Challenge Day was one of those things that helped me."

"Challenge Day was one of the greatest things I've experienced. Every day things they said come back to me."

"I could talk to you about Challenge Day all day long, and you'll only get a small idea of how life changing it can really be."