For the last seven years Goffstown High School has participated in Challenge Day, an in school field trip where 100 students go into the gymnasium with two people from the Challenge Day program and adults from the community to have a day full of bonding games, intense moments, and lowering the waterline, allowing everyone to share intense stuff that has happened in their lives in a space of comfortability. John Webb who is the SAP counselor, and Hadley Vitale, a student at Goffstown participated this year on October 10th and were affected deeply by this day.
Challenge Day has a plethora of activities that include the small family group where students answer the question “if you knew the real me, you would know” and then share something that has affected your life. Another activity included is cross the line, in this activity you cross a line made of tape if the question asked relates to you. Some other activities include a volleyball game, a catwalk, and ice breakers that allow you to come out of your shell and get comfortable with the people around you.
John Webb has participated in this day every year he has been a counselor and to him challenge day “allows students and adults to be seen and heard unlike any other time that they have been seen or heard”. The most pivotal activity for him was the small family group where the question “if you knew the real me you would know”, he says that it starts the journey to vulnerability and shows everyone that they are not struggling alone. Webb says that his goal for this day was to have a successful day where those who participated felt seen and appreciated and he believes it was achieved. He broadcasts to everyone that didn’t participate that “seniors should come back as adults to participate and for everyone else there is plenty of room next year”.
Hadley, a sophomore who has participated in both her years here, expresses that Challenge Day is a day of inclusivity, togetherness and kindness. She says “Challenge Day is meant to push and break boundaries, make connections, and make GHS a team. The most pivotal activity for her was the cross the line activity, which allows connection between hearts when looking over the line to the people on the other side. Seeing the adults cross the line really affected her because you don’t always get to see what adults around you are going through. The message she wants to give to those who didn’t participate is “Always try new things, speak to new people, and do everything you can to think new thoughts”.
