Be the Change Team from Indiana

Recently we received a letter from a student from Indiana who was inspired after watching Oprah’s High School Challenge. This amazing young woman went after faculty for support to get a “Be the Change” team started on her campus. She enrolled 25 fellow classmates to help create her vision - to create the school of their dreams. Below are a few excerpts from the letter she wrote as well as a video she and her tream created….

“We thought it would be a good idea to create our own mission statement for our “Be the Change” group to remind everyone what this group is about. Our mission is to get students to accept themselves and others for who they truly are. By accepting one another and seeking commonalities, our school, community, and world will be less divided and hostile, and become a place where people feel safe and valued - Bellmont High School - Be the Change Mission Statement.

Once school started we had weekly meetings where we would talk about different issues and do team building activities. We also put on many events such as “Think Pink Day”(against bullying), sponsored a Christmas family, Bowled For Kids Sake (Fundraiser for Big Brother, Big Sister), and our big “Take the Challenge Day.”

“Take the Challenge Day,” took place on April 11, 2008, in our high school gymnasium. This was a day where we had 130 students participate in team building activities, small group conversations, and we also had a speaker. This was a VERY successful day for many students. After “Take the Challenge Day,” we had many students interested in the “Be the Change” group and now our group has tripled in size.

When I decided to try to get a “Be the Change” group at my school I knew I was doing something risky because it could not go the direction I wanted it to go. There was always a fear that students would not like it and start making fun of me. This fear went away the first week of having the group because I was hearing positive comments and we had students asking if they could be apart of it. I do not regret anything about this group and I am so glad that I put my ideas into action. I encourage everyone to put his or her ideas into action because in the long run something positive will come out of it, but always remember that it will not always be easy.”

Here is the video that Bellmont High Schools Be the Change Team created: http://www.schooltube.com/default.aspx?vid=4206

The Challenge Day experience felt across the United States and Canada… but also in Brazil, too!

I hope you are having a great day.
I could not help myself and write to tell you that I have been using the ideas from the Challenge Day curriculum that Natalie has sent me and the results have been amazing. I am developing an anti-bullying program in three huge schools in a town near by Londrina (where I live) and I have been able to show 130 teachers (all grades) that it is possible to stop bullying.
The activities that you and Yvonne have developed really allow for people to bring down their barriers and reach out to each other.
The evaluations I have got so far approve 100% the implementation of the work in all the classrooms of all three schools.
A lot of work for me this year, thank God.

Every time I show the 15 min DVD ( I translated it and put subtitles in portuguese - you have NO idea how difficult that was!) and see you and Yvonne in the film, I feel like telling everyone in the room how special you are!

Thanks again for all you do.
Much love,
Milene, Brazil

Miss Utah – Redefining Beauty Contests one Challenge Day at a Time

http://www.makeaculturalconnection.com

The Odd Couple

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBtFTF2ii7U

A Coordinator from British Columbia, Canada, challenges her community to Pay it Forward

http://www.bclocalnews.com/bc_cariboo/williamslaketribune/news/39130904.html

http://www.bclocalnews.com/bc_cariboo/williamslaketribune/opinion/39130919.html

A heartfelt letter from a man moved to Notice, Choose, and Act in his realationships by what he’s experienced at Challenge Day

Dear staff -

I would like to thank you for the benefits I have received after
participating in a Challenge Day event in my local high school. I was
introduced to Challenge Day through my wife who participated in the
session last year. I have to say, I really had no idea what I would get
out of this or learn - in short even what to expect. I knew it would be
impactful but I really had no idea just how much. We live in
Westerville, Ohio (a suburb of Columbus) and I knew these problems may
exist - now I know for sure they do exist and impact every kid in every
possible form, every single day.

I want you to know that I was introduced to two amazing and
wonderful people who happen to give back through your organization, but
in truth are working for all children in this world. Kekoa and Mzima
were our leaders for the day and were absolutely amazing - they truly
are blessed people and have found what they are good at in this world. I
am thankful and grateful that I was able to witness their abilities
first hand - from the moment they started to the moment the day ended -
they were connected; Not only in voice and appearance, but in energy. It
was this energy that was passed on from person to person in that gym
yesterday that allows them to be successful. The positive nature of
their energy is transmitted to every single person in that room and has
an exponential affect that builds through the day - even when the topics
are alarming, the good nature and vibe is the underlying current and a
positive outcome is achieved. Kekoa and Mzima start that energy and
momentum builds from there.

For me, the big test is not only what I experience that day and the
commitments I make to myself, but the true test is how I feel and act 24
hours later, 2 weeks, even 1 month and 1 year. I can honestly say there
are very few times in my life that I have felt this way even 24 hours
later. Because of them, I will notice, choose and act differently from
here on out for the rest of my life. I have a great life, with happy
and healthy children, a job, a nice home, great friends and family - and
I am grateful for that. But we can help others too - I have already
acted in that I will forever change the way I will be with my own family
- my wife and two girls (ages 9 and 6). I will also do whatever I can to
notice, choose and act with every young adult that I come in contact
with - or help teach my kids to help notice, choose and act for
themselves and with their friends. I owe that to Kekoa, Mzima and your
organization. Please know that they are fabulous at what they do.

Sincerely,
Stephan

A Road to Glory
by Devon Rath (Challenge Day Leader)

There were many miracles throughout this day. Chris (one of our Challenge Day Leaders) had one too. But mine was about a little boy. He told me towards the end of speak out that he wanted to speak. So I sent him over to Chris to get the opportunity. He said “you know when I was four I went from living with my Mom to living with my Dad. I love my Dad so much and I miss him so much. But then he was suddenly shot and murdered. So then I moved back with my Mom and now she acts like she hates me. She always tells me I’m stupid. He had tears streaming down his face and so powerfully and clearly he spoke to us all. He said I always get told I mess around to much. But I’m just trying to have the childhood I didn’t get to have then. My Dad told me before he was killed that he wanted me to do well in school and not take the path he did. I’m in calculus now and I’m trying to do well.” Then Chris pulled him into his arms and the boy started to sobbed. Chris then asked people to stand if they admired him and respected him for what he shared, about 15 people stood and right then all the lights went out all of a sudden. We still had power on the mic’s and everything, so we went with it. We asked all the kids to pull their cell phones out and use the glow from the phones. It was so beautiful!!! We kept going and it was like such a crazy thing. I believe in spirits and stuff and it felt like it may have been Andrew’s Dad.

Challenge Day and the South Louisiana Circle of Change By You, helps teenagers to become 100% fully alive persons

Last week I took part in two Challenge Days at H.L. Bourgeois High School in Gray, LA. A hundred students and about thirty-five adults were present each day for the program. “Challenge Day’s vision is that every child lives in a world where they feel safe, loved and celebrated.” Its mission is to provide youth and their communities with experiential workshops and activities that give teenagers the opportunity to look at themselves and their environment honestly and see how they become a more loving and connected person.

A person could call Challenge Day a practical course for youth in basic Christian values. Jesus gave us the golden rule: “Do to others whatever you would have them do to you.” (Matt. 7:12) He also told us, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.” (Luke 10:27) Our world would be a better place if everyone followed these guidelines.

We can only love our neighbor if we truly love ourselves. If we have been told that we are “no good,” that we won’t amount to anything in life, and if we buy into these negative messages, then we will have difficulty reaching out to others. Our tendency would be to put others down as we were put down. In school, this often leads to bullying, teasing, oppression of others because they are of a different race, economic status, different gender, different religious or sexual orientation.

Negative feelings about oneself can also lead to destructive behavior like substance abuse, promiscuity, violence to self and others, disruptive behavior. What Challenge Day does without referring to anything religious is to address the isolation and loneliness that many teenagers feel and help them to have a true and deep love of self. Once they have a more positive image and acceptance of themselves, they can celebrate who they are and stop the circle of violence in their own lives and that of others.

People who feel isolated from others often build walls around themselves. This is contrary to Robert Frost’s advice, “Do not build a wall until you know what you are walling in and what you are walling out.” Challenge Day helps teenagers take down their walls and open themselves to others. They also have the opportunity to realize that many other people, adults and teenagers, are going through the same problems that they are experiencing.

They also learn that they do not have to be victims. No matter what their situation in life, they can adopt a three-step formula for creating positive change: 1) Notice what’s happening. 2) Choose to create a vision for what their life could look like. 3) Act – have the courage and commitment it takes to make the proper changes.

At the end of Challenge Day program, the hope is that all participants will never again say they didn’t know that negative judgments, thoughtless jokes, rumors, or oppressive behaviors, comments or violence hurt people. They will be able to celebrate the diversity of all people. They can begin to tear down the walls they have built around themselves and share and express their true selves (instead of trying to fit in at school or in their community).

Challenge Day gives them tools and alternatives for the healthy self expression while also challenging them to let go of self limiting thoughts, beliefs, and emotions. They were also challenged to live a life 100% fully alive at the service to others.

I recommend Challenge Day for all area high schools – public, private and religious.