There has been extensive coverage in this paper about the latest Rock Challenge that has recently taken place in Bradford. But do people know the real reason for holding this event?

Rock Challenge has been running now for many years, and is a global event. The real reason that this event takes place is that it teaches children many things. It teaches them concentration, dedication, team work and patience. It puts pupils from different school years working together. And the main thing it teaches them is that they can get a buzz', or a high' from appearing before a live audience.

Studies of students taking part in previous events show that those taking part are less involved with alcohol and drugs, truancy figures are down, and pupils are more eager to join in school activities.

Having attended St George's Hall to witness competitors at first hand, and watching the enthusiasm of the participants, their friends, family and supporters, I can vouch for the fact that everyone involved was definitely on a high.

Bradford has a proud history of producing performers in all branches of the entertainment industry, but there is a lot of room for the many amateurs who enjoy taking part.

The slogan for the Rock Challenge is Be Your Best'. I certainly found this evident from all the performers. They all proved how good they can be. Every performance was stunning, and some, unbelievable.

A special mention must be made of Thornton Grammar School, who prove every year that they are among the best in Britain in this competition.

Sadly, some cities (including Leeds), do not participate, while Bradford is among the leaders. Bradford Council is firmly behind this event, and although Bradford does better than most other areas, there are only a handful of schools that enter.

The future of this city of ours will eventually be in the hands of the current school children. Let us do our best to ensure that they get their buzz' in the right way.

Participants must learn about stagecraft, lighting, set design, costumes, make-up, soundtracks, and of course teamwork.

It will involve after school work and extra work for staff, but at what cost? Students who want to come to school. Stay behind. Work together. Attend more regularly. Behave better. All pluses as far as schools are concerned.

Don't tell me that other schools don't have any talented students. Don't have the dedicated staff that could take on this Challenge'.

Bradford continually gets negative press. Let us show the rest of the nation the way forward and take the lead.

Come on Bradford, let's fill St George's Hall every night for a month next year, not just two nights, and see most of our schools taking part.

If any schools that have not taken part before would like more information, I'm sure that schools that have already participated will be only too pleased to help.

So I am throwing down my own challenge.

To every Bradford school that did NOT take part in the Rock Challenge, I say: Prove to me that your school and pupils can Be Their Best'.