Rachel's Challenge - An Incredible Evening

I just returned from Hannah Beardsley Middle School where an enormous number of parents and myself attended the Rachel's Challenge presentation.  Before the presentation started a slideshow was playing showing Beardsley students enjoying all kinds of activities, hanging out with friends, building teams, and just enjoying each other.  Obviously, Hannah Beardsley School has a culture of support and cooperation and it demonstrated that this was a very fitting environment for the Rachel's Challege presentation.

Rachel Scott was the very first student killed during the Columbine High School shooting spree.  The shooting spree was in retaliation for years of bullying the killers experienced while in school.  Ironically, their very first victim was a student who committed herself to connecting with and helping students who were marginalized and bullied.  In her 17 years of life, she compiled several journals of her thoughts and philosophies of life.  Her family has compiled these rich journals down to several Challenges to change the world and ultimately to prevent anyone from being bullied again.

• Challenge 1 - "People will never know how far a little kindness can go" - be kind to the people around you, but most of all to the people you know and love.
• Challenge 2 - Look for the Best in others
• Challenge 3 - Dare to Dream - Dream Big
• Challenge 4 - Choose Positive Influences - The influences you choose have an impact on you whether you know it or not.
• Challenge 5- Start a Chain Reaction - "I have this theory that if one person goes out of their way to show compassion, then it will start a chain reaction of the same." - Rachel Joy Scott

While these challenges may seem simplistic and you may think you understand them, when you experience them in a powerful, emotional setting such as the Rachel's Challenge presentation, these words have the power to change lives.  To try to live these challenges on a daily basis will take lots of practice.  They mentioned that this becomes a lifestyle choice.  Think of your daily drive to work.  How many times do you use rude gestures or words to express your displeasure with someone who cut you off.  These are the actions our children see.  These are some of the actions we want to change.  This will take some getting used to.  

The presentation was emotional and moving.  It inspired me to want to be a better father and to show more compassion, patience, and love - not only to my family, but to my neighbors, friends, and strangers.  The amount of love for the world that came out of a 17-year-old girl is amazing.  She knew she was going to change the world.  She wrote about it multiple times - and she is.  More than 13 years after her death, she is influencing the world with her words.

A slightly modified version of this presentation was given to the 3 middle schools this week.  I can imagine the enthusiasm this group of kids will have toward making their schools a safer place for all students and showing compassion to all of their classmates.  

I have a daughter with special needs who saw the presentation at Bernotas Middle School ,and I was curious what she thought about it.  She was thrilled to experience it. She brought home that we need to be kinder to each other and that we should accept others for their differences.  She understood it.  She was excited to share it.  Rachel had an impact again on one of those she vowed to help.

I have to give a huge thank you to Dr. Donn Mendoza and the school board for making this happen.  I understand this was a big undertaking involving several families, boards, and the regional superintendent of school and a year of effort.  This was so important to present and I am so glad you all made it happen.

Rachel would be proud to see this and I am proud to have experienced it.