Challenge day is a touching movement here at Manchester Township High School (MTHS). On this day, 100 students and various district staff members are picked to spend the day in the gymnasium and dive deep into their emotions.
On January 14, 2026, MTHS Spanish teacher Mrs. Erin Berhalter and co-coordinators, Vice Principal Mr. Joseph Serratelli and History teacher Mr. Wesley Moore, organized the 14th annual MTHS Challenge Day.
“Challenge Day is a powerful, day-long program that helps break down barriers between students to build empathy and reduce bullying. The goal is to create a school culture where every student feels safe, loved, and celebrated. The tradition of Challenge Day is really about ‘dropping the mask.’ For 364 days a year, we walk the halls pretending we have it all together or sticking to our specific groups. Challenge Day is the one day where we are given permission to be real. It’s a day where we realize that the person we thought was completely different from us is actually carrying the same heavy backpack of emotions that we are. It’s a day that, hopefully, builds a stronger school community,” said Berhalter.
Berhalter has been apart of Challenge Day for 12 years, she started coordinating it the year after she participated it for the first time.
“Challenge Day came to MTHS in 2012 after a group of teachers went to participate in the day at another high school,” said Berhalter. “They were so moved by the experience that they brought it back to MTHS.”
Preparation for Challenge Day is just as important as participation. While preparation takes out a physical toll on one, participation does so emotionally.
Berhalter said of preparation; “It’s unbelievable how much … goes into planning and preparing for Challenge Day.”
While Berhalter talks about the physical preparation, MTHS Guidance Counselor Mrs. Rachael Kelly states the mental; “We are all human and we have challenges that we face everyday to let us know we are not alone.”
On Challenge Day, students were picked to sit in seats aligned in a circle in the gym. At first you are allowed to hang out and sit by your friends, but shortly after, they pull you out of your comfort zone, encouraging you to get to know other people.
Berhalter and Kelly’s favorite activity, and most memorable, was the game everyone knows as “Cross the Line.”
“ … [Cross the Line] is a powerful visual where the usual social hierarchy dissolves. You see students from completely different cliques—and even teachers—standing shoulder-to-shoulder because they are carrying the same burdens,” said Berhalter.
“Cross the Line” is a game in Challenge Day where students are given the opportunity to be vulnerable with others. Emotionally difficult topics are brought up and students are asked to step forward if they relate to the topic mentioned–The goal is to show that, students and teachers alike, are not too different after all. The reason many think this game is so important is because of their initial overwhelming feeling of anxiety, which is then quickly relieved when brought around with the presence of others who relate.
Kelly, when asked what the most impactful topic in “Cross the Line’ was for her, she said: “Specifically, [there was a question about] kids growing up … I have little kids and I do not want them to grow up too fast.”
Challenge Day is shown to be impactful, both emotionally and physically, to not only MTHS students, but to the district staff who had participated, as well. This tradition is one of the most memorable here at MTHS and it is one that both staff and students hope to see continue throughout the years.
