03 Dec 2025 St. Joseph seniors experience Challenge Course

Thirty-two St. Joseph High School seniors went through the University of Central Arkansas Challenge Course on Oct. 30. For some, it was the scariest thing they’d ever been through.

“It really pushed me out of my comfort zone,” said Sarai Flanagin. “I was nervous about the heights and unsure I could trust myself, or my classmates, to get through the course.” 

The process for bringing the course to the UCA campus began in 2016. Opening in 2019, it was the brainchild of Director of Campus Recreation, Richard H. Hammond, with the idea of providing an outdoor environment where a variety of activities would focus on team building, self-growth and recreation. It includes a ten-obstacle High Static Team course, four stand-alone High Ropes Challenges, 17 low team challenges, two outdoor climbing walls and two dual ziplines. 

“Students learned the importance of depending on and supporting each other,” said Ms. Alicia Yrle, St. Joseph’s Senior Class Sponsor. “During the course, they found that they had to step into leadership positions to help one another. They also had to do a great deal of problem-solving in order to accomplish team goals.” 

The seniors worked in pairs to maneuver the course. Vince Porcaro did it twice because another senior failed to complete it. “Even though I was nervous the first time around, the knowledge that I was capable of succeeding gave me the power to go back up with more confidence,” Vince said. Sarai also got stronger. “Every time someone cheered me on or offered me a hand, it made the obstacles feel a little bit easier,” she said. “By the end, I felt more confident in myself and more connected to my classmates!”