400 Bay County Middle School Students To Participate in “Challenge Day”

March 1-4, 2010, 100 middle school students from each Bay County public middle school (Christa McAuliffe Middle School, Cramer Jr. High, Handy Middle School, and Pinconning Middle School) will participate in the Challenge Day program.  The funding for the program came from a $15,000 grant from the Bay Area Community Foundation’s Youth Advisory Committee (YAC) and a $5,000 sponsorship from AT&T. 

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.  Research has proven that young people decide which path they are going to take in life during the 7th and 8th grade. “The junior high can be an emotional battlefield and Challenge Day will help us change our culture for the better,” said Lisa Somalski, Cramer Junior High Counselor. 

“We are fortunate to have a generous company like AT&T sponsor the Challenge Day program,” stated Eileen Curtis, Bay Area Community Foundation, President & CEO.  “This type of support demonstrates their commitment to the youth of our community.  Without AT&T, we would not have been able to bring this program to such a large number of Bay County students.”  A total of 400 students from area middle schools will join together to learn how to break down barriers within the school and community. 

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 see www.challengeday.org.