*This article is a satire and is not meant to be taken literally.*

Everyone has bad days and good days. However, it’s clear that the hardest days are the ones we learn from. Therefore, on Friday, 3/13, administrators launched a program called “Strength Through Struggle,” ensuring students face challenges to grow.

Administrators and the community came together to create this program. The high school’s security team has ensured the safety of this project, with staff and volunteers monitoring activities throughout each session to make sure students are safe at all times.

“Safety isn’t an afterthought. It’s built into every step,” said Ms. Patel, an administrator.

This program is led by adult community volunteers who share their own experiences with struggle and guide students through activities connected to what they’ve gone through. Volunteers also talk about their personal stories while the activities are happening.

“We’re not here to break anyone. We’re here to build,” said Mr. Arman, a volunteer.

Volunteers first do a move called “The Empathic Pivot.” They step to the right and tilt their head and neck. It’s supposed to show they’re listening and paying attention.

“It feels weird at first, but then you realize they’re actually listening,” said Jinx Wobbleton, a senior.

One activity involves volunteers guiding students through a blindfolded trust walk near a cliff (simulated for safety purposes), while telling their own stories about going through uncertain times after big life changes. Students take turns leading and being led, experiencing vulnerability, uncertainty, and having to rely on others.

“When you can’t see, you really know who you can trust,” said Leo Bananahands, a student.

After each rotation, students and volunteers pause and use “The Empathic Pivot” again to show support is there even during uncomfortable moments.

Some other activities include a pool trust exercise called “Depth of Trust,” where students pair up and lean back with their eyes closed to practice trusting someone else. Afterward, they debrief using “The Empathic Pivot.”

Another activity is Hide and Seek in the Dark. This only happens during night school for obvious safety reasons. Students move through a dark gym using sound and communication to find each other, kind of showing what it feels like to deal with struggle alone.

“When you hear someone calling your name, it changes everything,” said Ava Picklejuice, a student.

When students think they’re done with the course, there’s a Day and Night Finale. Night school and day school students come together for a 24-hour “Struggle Marathon,” combining all the activities to show that support exists outside of school hours too.

“It feels less weird when you’re not the only one up late dealing with it,” said Marcus Snickerdoodle, a student.

“I really hated this program,” said Maya Gobbleflop, a student. “Although it feels like there are some lessons that will be useful.”