More than 200 high school juniors and select staff members participated in a series of team-building and sharing exercises during this year’s Challenge Day on March 30 and 31.  

With the help of program facilitators, participants worked to increase personal power and self-esteem, shift dangerous peer pressure to positive peer support, and eliminate the acceptance of teasing and violence.

In the spirit of “pay it forward,” participants were encouraged to share the knowledge they gained during the workshop and empower their peers and those in the community to stand united and make positive life choices.

“The goal of Challenge Day is to help stop the teasing, violence and alienation that can often be a part of the school experience for millions of young people,” high school social worker said Jaclyn Anci.