1,300 Bay County middle school and high school students (Christa McAuliffe Middle School, Cramer Jr. High School, Handy Middle School, and Pinconning Middle School, Western Middle & High School, Bay City Central High School, John Glenn High School, Garber High School, and All Saints Middle and High School) will participate in the Challenge Day program.  The program will take place on various days throughout December and January.   At least 100 students from each school will participate. 

Challenge Day is a  life changing program designed to addresses common issues such as, peer pressures, cliques, negative judgments, harassment, isolation, stereotypes, racism, bullying, violence, and hidden pressures to create an image, achieve or live up to the expectations of others.  This is the program featured on the popular MTV series, If You Really Knew Me. 

Even though Challenge Day is a national program, Bay Area Community Foundation is creating a mile stone by the collaboration of all school districts (Bay City Public, Essexville-Hampton, Bangor Township, Pinconning Area, and Bay Area Catholic Schools) and bringing this program to the entire community. The magnitude of this effort is the first for Challenge Day.  “It is reassuring to see the community support for this program,” said Eileen Curtis, President & CEO of the Bay Area Community Foundation.  “Bullying is the root cause of many other youth related issues, including school drop-out rates, drug and alcohol abuse, and suicide.  By focusing on our youth, the outcome not only benefits our schools but it benefits our entire community.” 

The funding for the program came from a $55,000 grant from the Bay Area Community Foundation’s Youth Advisory Committee (YAC).  “The YAC felt it is vital to bring Challenge Day here because the Bay Area student body should be aware of the differences each individual faces,” said Carine Gustin, senior at Bay City Central High School and chair of the Youth Advisory Committee.  “It allows the students to step out of their normal surroundings and confront the problems and feelings of others.” 

The Youth Advisory Committee is a group of dynamic young people who positively impact the youth of Bay County by identifying needs, making informed decisions, developing and distributing funds and volunteering within our community. The YAC volunteers are made up of 7th to 12th grade students from middle and high schools in Bay County.

For more information regarding Challenge Day, please visit www.challengeday.org.