It’s a week that’s apt to change at least one student’s life.
Lake Orion High School will be hosting UNITY Week from May 12-16 in an action-packed week focused on promoting tolerance and respect, with the ultimate goal of forming a more cohesive student body.
According to junior Emily Sloan, one of the students involved in planning the event, the week kicks off with ‘Rachel’s Challenge,? an organization dedicated to spreading Rachel Scott’s message of kindness and compassion. She was the first student to be killed at Columbine. Every Lake Orion High School student will view one of these presentations.
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday will be Challenge Days, and each one of those days will involve 100 high school students and teachers and adults from the community participating in team building activities.
The vision is that ‘every child lives in a world where they feel safe, loved and celebrated,? and the goal of Challenge Day is to ‘break down barriers within the student body and promote respect for one other.?
Substance Abuse Advisor Michele Novak called Challenge Day ‘profound,? and noted it inspires and guides kids to ‘be the change? in their school and community.
?300 kids will be involved this year and we’re hoping for a ripple effect,? Novak said, noting she believes it’s an experience those participants will share with their friends, who will share with others, and so forth.
She added that they hope to do this yearly and, if so, have every student participate by the time they graduate.
Novak and Sloan, along with several high school staff advisors and students, attended a Challenge Day at Hazel Park High School to get a feel for the impact it has on a person.
‘I was skeptical but I left with a headache from crying because you don’t realize how much people can touch you,? Sloan said. ‘You don’t know what’s going on at home. Leave a special place in your hearts for people.?
She added if her fellow students realized what was happening in each other’s lives they might be able to make another choice rather than choosing violence or trying ‘to bring somebody down.?
According to Novak, the 300 participating students were recommended by their teachers for being ‘positive and negative leaders in the building.?
‘It’s not therapy, but it can be therapeutic,? she said, adding it’s an important experience for the adult volunteers involved as well.
‘Our youth are important, but sometimes they are forgotten or don’t get the credit they deserve,? Novak added. ‘We need adults and community members to see what our kids are going through and how they are trying to better themselves.?
The high school is still looking for adult volunteers to help out in the week’s events, and Novak noted they have gotten great support from local businesses that have donated supplies and food for lunches on the Challenge Days.
UNITY Week continues on Friday with a Dialogue Day, sponsored by the North Oakland Community Coalition. This day is designed to give students a chance about things such as drugs, alcohol, violence, parental relationships, how they feel about their community and much more.
‘It kind of hits everything,? Sloan said, noting these discussions will take place in small groups featuring both students and adults, such as the police, judges and school board representatives.
The information shared during Dialogue Day will be collected and presented to the public at the library on May 21 at 7 p.m.
UNITY Week also features some events designed for fun.
On Wednesday, May 14, they will host a hypnotist in the high school auditorium and on Thursday, May 15, there will be the ‘Best of LO? variety show. Both events begin at 7 p.m.
‘We want to make students want to come back to school,? Sloan said, ‘and remind them it’s not such a bad place to be.?
She added anyone from the community is invited to attend either of the nighttime events.
Also, on Friday, May 16, the leadership class will host a free block party for LOHS students during the last part of the school day featuring food, beverages, carnival style games, music and more.
‘It’s our way of saying ‘we appreciate you guys, we’re here for you,?? Sloan said of the class hosting the BBQ.
As part of the block party, they also hope to hold ‘Hands Around LO? (HALO), where all the students will hold hands around the high school as a helicopter takes a picture.
According to Novak, they are also looking for donations, both in monetary form as well as in supplies (food, water, etc.).
In terms of money, Challenge Day will cost approximately $12,000.
Grants have been written and fundraisers, such as a returnable bottle drive have been hosted, but Novak said they are still short on funding.
‘Every little bit counts,? she said of community donations.
Those interested in participating as an adult volunteer for any day during UNITY Week or wishing to donate money or supplies, can call Novak at (248)693-5638 or contact her via e-mail at mnovak@lakeorion.k12.mi.us.
For more about Rachel’s Challenge, visit www.rachelschallenge.com, or to learn more about Challenge Day, visit www.challengeday.org.