MTV to challenge students in Madison

"If You Really Knew Me," an MTV reality program designed to breakdown stereotypes and unite students in schools is coming to Madison.

Everyday is a challenge. And for Madison City Schools, that challenge will be three days long.

“If You Really Knew Me,” a teen-help show on MTV is coming to Madison, Feb. 1 through  Feb. 3, as part of the school system’s Challenge Day, a six and a half hour experiential program, in which leaders conduct a workshop for 100 students from grades seven to nine, about accepting others for their differences.

“So much of what you hear about bullying is a big topic,” said Dennis James, safety coordinator for Madison City Schools. “A lot of that when you think about it response, what do you do when you’re bullied, how do you handle a bully. Challenge Day is another one of those that gets into why we bully to begin with, and how to make a difference in your school.”

Students from Bob Jones will be the first group to meet Tuesday Feb. 1, in the gym at CrossPointe Church.  Liberty Middle School will meet Wednesday, followed by Discovery Middle Thursday.

“It’s meant to be a cross section of your school,” James said. “You’ll have people form every group and every clique. You’ve got leaders, followers, people who bully and those who have been bullied. Challenge Day gets in there and breaks down those barriers. They want kids to feel free to be themselves. They start seeing they’ve got a lot of similarities.”

He said kids sometimes think what they’re going through hard times alone, but the Challenge Day will let them know there are others in the same situation.

Bob Jones Assistant Principal Julie Finley said she’s “excited” about Challenge Day because it will focus on building more resilient to negative influences.

“It gives them a power reserve from within, so that whenever a challenging situation comes their way, they’ll have the tools to positively address it,” Finley said.