3 minute read
"Breaking Down the Walls" at SRVHS
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By Shelby Falahat, Junior Reporter, SRVHS
In a stressful environment, the time for students and staff members to join one another for a day of truth, comfort, and relaxation is a necessity. Thus, twice a year San Ramon Valley High School hosts an event known as Breaking Down the Walls. The event takes place in a safe environment at SRV, secluding participants from the rest of the busy world. This semester, on February 6th and 7th, a multitude of students dedicated their day to be a part of the event. Students describe the event as life changing, and urge individuals to participate in the event at some point in their high school career. Breaking Down the Walls provides students with new experiences and life lessons that will carry on past high school.
The event takes place throughout the duration of two school days. San Ramon Valley Wolves are encouraged to participate or lead the event. Leaders are trained for a few hours a day before the first meeting, so they can begin to mentally prepare for the day ahead of them. The event begins early the following morning, and students are randomly placed into groups for the day. In groups, students discuss difficult topics, like stress. As group sizes reduce, students begin to share information about their personal lives, allowing them to “break down their walls.” An activity that truly makes the event worthwhile is the “Cross the Line” Activity. While students and staff members spread across the gymnasium, silence is requested by the leaders. Shortly after, individuals ask participants questions ranging from mental health to the loss of family members. At this moment of the event, true emotions are expressed by fellow peers and staff members. The entire activity is carried out in silence, which is much more impactful for students. The goal of the activity is to allow students to express their truth in a silent manner, in hopes to reveal that there is a commonality in our lives. Although the activity is challenging, students enjoy the “Cross the Line Activity” the most. The event allows for students to be vulnerable with one another, without feeling judgment. “The activity is life changing; it allowed me to express my true emotions in a safe environment,” remarked a student, after their first day experiencing Breaking Down the Walls.
In addition to impacting the lives of students, Breaking Down the Walls impacts the Leaders in a similar way. Collectively, the leaders revealed that, “It’s tough to realize that people go through such difficult obstacles in their life. If students or staff members are going through a rough patch in their lives, Breaking Down the Walls is a way to nonverbally realize that we are not alone in the struggle. This process alleviates criticism and judgement. It helps people become comfortable with the uncomfortable. And that’s why it’s so special to be a leader. It feels so special to help people while they allow themselves to become vulnerable. We want to prove to our peers that hardships in life make you stronger.”
Breaking Down the Walls has transformed lives at San Ramon Valley High. The event remains to be one of the best school activities on campus, proving its effectiveness for our school community. The event inspires students to project their true emotions onto the world as well as allows them to acknowledge that their experiences shape them into unique individuals.
Shelby Falahat is a Junior at San Ramon Valley High School. She loves writing as a tool to express herself as well as learn about the world around her. She also has a passion for working with children. Recently, Shelby has had the opportunity to work at Kumon, which has allowed her to teach young students math and reading. In addition, she loves to travel with her family across the globe.
Shelby Falahat is a Senior at San Ramon Valley High School. She loves writing as a tool to express herself as well as learn about the world around her. She also has a passion for working with children. Recently, Shelby has had the opportunity to work at Kumon, which has allowed her to teach young students math and reading. In addition, she loves to travel with her family across the globe.
