John Paul II Collegiate held their annual Challenge Days, Sept. 27 and 28. Challenge Days are all-day courses that students of John Paul II participate in. Organizers for this event were staff from John Paul II Collegiate and the presenters were from California. Participants included Grades 9 to 12 students. From all accounts the event was once again a success.
In the morning, the students participate in many activities to get comfortable with one another, including dancing, a hugging activity and sharing personal stories. In the afternoon, the students of John Paul II engage in very emotional activities that involve discussing personal family information, and things that bother the students.
Mr. Fauchon is a social/science teacher at John Paul II Collegiate who's been involved with Challenge Days for four years. According to Mr. Fauchon, Challenge Days are an opportunity for students to come together and show that we're more alike than we are different. It also helps eliminate bullying and racism, and brings us closer together as a community. About 250 students participate in the days each year.
When asked if there is any involvement from the Battlefords, he replied "Yes, a lot of the adult leaders are from the community and have volunteered to come help. There's even a community group called The Circle of Change." If there was one message Mr. Fauchon would like everyone to get from Challenge Days, it would be "Be the change you wish to see in the world."
One of the main reasons Challenge Days are so important is that it brings out what's really going inside your peers' lives, and you learn many new things about them. "It was life changing. I enjoyed getting to know everyone on a more personal level." said Alex. Erin said, "It shows people that they're not alone in what they're going through, and it taught me to respect people because you never know what they've had to deal with."
Participating in one of the Challenge Days is truly an amazing experience, and one that the students of John Paul II Collegiate will never forget.
