"I had so much fun and I opened up a lot...I hope that soon I can make a change in people's lives like you guys do. I want to get involved more because seeing all the types of stuff people go though, I just want to make a difference." --Viviana, Student (pictured at left with Challenge Day Leader Mzima and a friend)

"The Challenge Day program motivated me to not stay silent, but to speak out for what I believe in and act now -- not to wait until a change occurs on its own. Challenge Day affected my life immensely and motivated me to make a difference." --David, Student

"I'm proud of the way I don't judge people anymore. I used to be the one person who didn't care who [people] were, if they didn't look a certain way or whatever, I didn't like them. I'm glad I don't judge people. It makes me feel better because I don't want people judging me, either. It's amazing what one day can do to turn your whole life around."--Katie, Student

"I cannot thank you enough for allowing me the opportunity to participate in Challenge Day. It has encouraged me to re-focus my attention to the things that are most important in my life." --Bruce, Parent

"Thank you so much to coming to my school and giving me the opportunity to participate in Challenge Day. It really was one of, if not the, best day of my life." --Jodie, Student

"If you really knew me, you would know that I have experienced my Challenge Day 'a-ha' moments after I left the Next Step workshop ... The changes in my viewpoint as well as my responses were so profound to me, that I knew something had happened within my soul and spirit." -- Merri Bea, Next Step Participant

Visible Instead of Invisible
Challenge Day Miracles
by Kylie, Student, Ohio

Going to school was never at the top of my list of favorite things to do. In Developing Student Leaders, I would go to the seat I picked every day, the one in the farthest back row. I would sit there every day watching the cheerleaders talk and laugh, and watch all the popular kids just act like I wasn't even there. I always had kind of hoped that there was a way that things could be different. At first I thought, "Maybe if I change the way I do my hair, they will notice me. Or maybe if I dress like they do, they will tell me I look cute or say anything to me."  But nothing I ever tried worked.            

When I first saw the advertisement for the Challenge Day program on Oprah, I thought, "I have to watch that. Maybe I can get some ideas and tell them to Mrs. Stooks, my teacher. The next day I went up to Mrs. Stooks after class, like I always did because I was too scared to say my ideas in front of the class, and I told her that she should watch Oprah that day. I thought maybe it could help our class. I never thought that that idea I had would turn into what it has.  

It took Mrs. Stooks a couple of days to actually watch the show, but when I came into class the day after she watched it, I was completely surprised at what she had planned for that day. She told me that not only were we going to watch the show, but we were going to do one of the activities that was on it. I was so terrified. I thought everyone would think the activity was stupid, and no one would take it seriously, and then they'd hate me even more because it was my idea. I was not looking forward to it.

Mrs. Stooks had us get in a circle and finish the sentence, "If you really knew me, you'd know..."  When we first started going around, no one said anything that was really deep or true. It was kind of stuff like, "Oh, I'm insecure with myself."  When it was my turn, I said that I really, really hated talking in front of people. Everyone sort of laughed, which made me feel more comfortable.

Then we got to the first person to share something that was very emotional, and she started to cry. At first, everyone was surprised and didn't really know what to do. Then people started to get up and give her hugs, and just show her love and comfort. After that, everyone started to open up a little bit more, and each time we went around the circle, people would say things that you would never guess about them. As the minutes ticked by, you could just feel a change in the room. Everybody's preconceived ideas about the person across from them were washed away.

On the last time around, I was surprised at the words that came out of my mouth. I shared that I wanted to be a cheerleader more than anything but I never tried because I have never felt liked or accepted by any of them. Every day in class, they never spoke to me and it always seemed like they tried to sit as far away from me as possible. As I said that, the tears started streaming down my face. It hurt because I felt so vulnerable and I had never told anyone how I felt about it before. After that, Mrs. Stooks opened up the floor to anyone who wanted to apologize to anyone else in the room. Then, one of the cheerleaders raised her hand and said, "I want to apologize to Kylie for making her feel like we didn't like her."  I replied that I knew they didn't do it on purpose, and that I was just always so intimidated by them because they were so pretty and popular, and they never seemed really open for me to talk with them. After we were done, everyone got up and just hugged people. The two cheerleaders who were in the class that day came up to me and hugged me, and they told me that they would help me with my cheers, and they just talked to me. For once, I finally felt like there were no walls between us and I could be myself and like I had nothing to hide. I don't think that they realize how much those hugs and those words meant to me that day. I felt visible instead of invisible, and I loved that feeling. 

Ever since that day I have been so much more confident. People actually talk to me now, and before I thought that they didn't even know I existed. I am not afraid anymore to say my ideas in front of the class, and I have gained some awesome friends through this experience. I know there are many other people out there who feel the same way I did, and people who are dying to let people see the real them. I can't wait to start working more intensely with my classmates to help Be the Change.

Editor's Note: Not only did Kylie's suggestion help bring her class closer together, she and Mrs. Stooks also helped bring the first-ever Challenge Day to her school. Kylie also tried out for a spot on her school's cheerleading team...and made it! Go Kylie!

Glorious are the voices that challenge.
Courageous are those who fight to be heard.
Awesome are those who walk from temptation,
And great are those who speak their word.

There are kids who desire to be respected,
Children who dream of a peaceful earth,
People who help spread love and forgiveness,
Those who incite society's rebirth.

There are those who are slaves to an awful addiction,
Those who dread their day of conviction,
The dying controlled by the doctor's prediction,
Young ones who suffer through pain and affliction.

Challenge what's wrong and all things immoral.
Fight isolation and those who estrange.
Do NOT stay silent and allow injustice.
Stay true to your values and Be the Change!

--David Michael Gaillardetz, Student, Toledo, Ohio

Inspired by Challenge Day and the Be the Change Movement, the "It's All Good" News Club is a student-driven, faculty and community-supported club committed to publicizing what's going right in their schools and communities.

Founded by the Central Florida Circle of Change, the IAG News Club's mission is to "Be the Change They Wish to See in the Media" by reporting all the latest-breaking victories, shining the spotlight on true heroes past and  present, and offering continuous coverage of all the countless ways one person can and does make a difference. The hope is that this daily act will foster a sense of connectedness, inspiration and hope in all the communities it reaches.

The IAG News Club is just like any other extra-curricular club in school. Any student (grade 6-12) inspired to Be the Change and committed to expressing it positively can join. Members are encouraged to express themselves through all forms of media such as journalism, music, poetry, art, broadcast, short films, blogs, or any new form that pops up. All the club requires is that its members honor the criteria set forth by the founding student members themselves: that each expression be positive, respectful, empowering and factual.

IAG News Club members receive full support from the IAG News Network. The Network is a forever-expanding group of established entertainment industry professionals, affiliated organizations, and community benefactors who work tirelessly behind the scenes to offer the IAG News Club members sponsorships, technical assistance, mentorship, fundraising, equipment, competitions, media camps, internships, multiple distribution outlets and exciting special events. Their commitment is to offer the IAG News Club members everything they need to achieve full self-expression about what's going right.