Mohonasen student's self-image activity goes viral in Capital District high schools

On Board Online • June 8, 2026

By Eric D. Randall
Editor-in-Chief

In the week beginning March 30, students in a dozen school districts in the Capital District used skin-safe pastel markers to write words such as "bold" and "kind" on their arms, faces or other body parts.

Michael Collura, a junior in Mohonasen High School, wrote "leader" on his forearm. Seems appropriate, because the whole thing was his idea.

He calls it the Box Challenge (officially with the alternate spelling of "boX"). One promotional slogan: "Let's fight against negative labels!"

The idea is to reject whatever names you have been called - or invisible labels that have been applied to you - by writing your own self-label. Students are urged to do this to "break out of the boxes" that others have placed them in.

"Students are the experts of their own school culture," Collura explained in a story published on his school district's website. "When they write positive words on their skin and walk the halls, it starts conversations. It builds community. It reminds everyone that we are more than the boxes others put us in," he said.

Collura developed the concept after participating in the Capital Region BOCES' Elevating Student Voices program in spring 2025, as well as leadership programs including Educate to Empower and HOBY New York East. (HOBY stands for Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership.)

Schools in seven counties participated in the Box Challenge this spring. In addition to Mohonasen, which is located in Schenectady County, participating schools included Ballston Spa, Burnt Hills, Cairo-Durham, Clinton, Duanesburg, Mechanicville, Ravena, Schalmont, Sharon Springs, South Colonie and South Glens Falls.

The 2026 challenge concluded with a Unity Rally at Mohonasen High School on April 2. During the event, student clubs hosted stations featuring activities that promote connection - communal painting, making friendship bracelets and writing poetry. Video footage submitted by all participating districts was shown on a large screen.

The Unity Rally included a live performance by the Mohonasen Teacher Band. Special guests were the Traveling Therapy Pigs. (They have their own Facebook page and about 800 followers.)

Collura told the Albany Times Union that he wants to ensure that the annual challenge continues long after he graduates in 2027.

"We're going bigger," he said. "We already have an outline ready for next year. Super exciting."

For more information, follow @theboxchallenge2026 on Instagram.