Leila Sassouni
Editor '18For the last two years, the North High School has invested money into a day called “Challenge Day”. Challenge Day is a day filled with emotion as well as “unity”. In the first year of this program, there were emotional activities, but the primary goal at the end of the day was not reached. All the sophomores heard days prior to this was about how beneficial this event would be for the grade to come together, meanwhile, it had barely any lasting effects. The actual Challenge Day was emotional, but only for some people who let loose. For those who are less sensitive, this day was more of a no- work day.
The event started with some silliness as teachers cheered students on as they entered the gymnasium, but from there it just got weirder. Yes there were hugging times, but most of it was sympathy and pity. Many people did not actually feel challenged by anything - if anything challenged to show emotions. Adding on, the small groups were extremely untalkative, which of course was uncontrollable. It was clear that if an individual opened up about a previous experience, they may feel judged. During times where it was a sensitive subject, the hugs received from the group to the individual were more forced.
Now students and staff can “Challenge” the school with this question: Why does the school spend so much money to talk about feelings when investments can be made for better food and air conditioning? For all faculty, staff, and students know, the administration of the school invests in this event just so that the future senior grades do not pull crazy pranks on underclassmen. But does this work? It seems hard to make sense of it; moreso, it feels like another waste of money of the school.
The entirety of the goal wanted was definitely not what the school wanted. This day, dedicated to the unification of the past sophomore grade, was if anything a two day lasting effect. Students may have left the gymnasium that day feeling slightly better than the beginning of the day, going into the big halls of the school and making eye contact with those who were just in a small group, or had witnessed a tear. Others may have been faced with simple eye contact, if any. “Challenge” appeared to be ineffective.
Editor '18For the last two years, the North High School has invested money into a day called “Challenge Day”. Challenge Day is a day filled with emotion as well as “unity”. In the first year of this program, there were emotional activities, but the primary goal at the end of the day was not reached. All the sophomores heard days prior to this was about how beneficial this event would be for the grade to come together, meanwhile, it had barely any lasting effects. The actual Challenge Day was emotional, but only for some people who let loose. For those who are less sensitive, this day was more of a no- work day.
The event started with some silliness as teachers cheered students on as they entered the gymnasium, but from there it just got weirder. Yes there were hugging times, but most of it was sympathy and pity. Many people did not actually feel challenged by anything - if anything challenged to show emotions. Adding on, the small groups were extremely untalkative, which of course was uncontrollable. It was clear that if an individual opened up about a previous experience, they may feel judged. During times where it was a sensitive subject, the hugs received from the group to the individual were more forced.
Now students and staff can “Challenge” the school with this question: Why does the school spend so much money to talk about feelings when investments can be made for better food and air conditioning? For all faculty, staff, and students know, the administration of the school invests in this event just so that the future senior grades do not pull crazy pranks on underclassmen. But does this work? It seems hard to make sense of it; moreso, it feels like another waste of money of the school.
The entirety of the goal wanted was definitely not what the school wanted. This day, dedicated to the unification of the past sophomore grade, was if anything a two day lasting effect. Students may have left the gymnasium that day feeling slightly better than the beginning of the day, going into the big halls of the school and making eye contact with those who were just in a small group, or had witnessed a tear. Others may have been faced with simple eye contact, if any. “Challenge” appeared to be ineffective.