The halls were quieter than normal, but outside, a whirlwind of noise was beginning as 155 sophomores gathered in Shaw Park for a day of outdoor team-building activities. Despite the 62-degree temperature, the class of 2028 joined Dave Aiello, social studies teacher and Coordinator of the Sophomore Challenge, and 29 teacher and student volunteers for a chance to get to know each other better.
Sophomores cycled through stations such as the electric fence, where students helped each other over a tightrope without touching the tightrope or “electric fence,” among other teamwork activities. Aiello created intentional groups of 12 to 15, so students were mixed with friends as well as classmates they might not have known as well. He hoped the day brought new challenges and a break for students.
“Clayton High School is an amazing place. We have awesome students, awesome teachers [and] awesome families. People work really, really hard here, and this day for me, for one, is just a break from the monotony and constant level of stress and anxiety about work and grades and homework,” Aiello said.
Students like sophomore Olivia Lin agreed that students deserve a break, but came into the challenge wishing for some changes.
“I definitely appreciated being out in nature instead of being in a classroom. I wish the activities were a little more grown-up, because it feels like every single time we do team building or bonding, whether that was in elementary school, middle school or high school, [it’s] always the same,” Lin said. “Even though some of these activities are fun, they do seem a little childish. I don’t think a lot of sophomores want to be doing these types of activities.”
During Sophomore Challenge, students worked together to solve riddles and brain teasers, as well as physical challenges. See how you stack up and complete the crossword puzzle above.
Sophomore Sawyer Charak had differing opinions on the challenges of the day.
“I’ve had a lot of fun at the events, and [it is] a good bonding experience. [The challenge] is trying to set us towards a better structure and better work ethic. So I think this is an important day for us to have,” Charak said.
After a break with boxed lunches, more sunshine and time free of assigned groups, the second half of the day brought some changed opinions.
“As the day went on, the activities got more and more fun, because you know your group more, so [it is] not as awkward. Do I think that every single person’s gonna like every single game? No, but I think there is definitely something you’re going to at least partially enjoy, if not fully,” Lin said.
For over 36 years, students’ opinions have varied on the day, but it remains a field day memory for sophomores, sponsored by the school.
“I’m really grateful that the school district continues to support this and sees this as a valuable experience. With Shaw Park being this asset for us, we don’t have to spend money on buses or renting [a] facility, so we actually can pull this day off pretty cheaply, and that’s mostly because everybody gets behind it and supports it and believes in it. So I’m really grateful,” Aiello said.
