Rachel's Challenge - A Community Event

Garrett County Public Schools is sponsoring a community event entitled Rachel’s Challenge.  Rachel Joy Scott was the first victim in the Columbine High School massacre.   While her life was tragically cut short during the shooting on April 20, 1999, her shining example of kindness and compassion was not defeated that day. Come hear the inspiring true story of one girl’s dream being fulfilled over a decade after her death.  The presentation is a powerful reminder of the little things we can do every day to make our world a better place.  Come hear “The Story That Changes Everything”.

The overall program emphasis is not on the Columbine violence, nor how Rachel Scott died. The focus is on how Rachel Scott lived her life. The program includes five “challenges” for daily living including: look for the best in others; dream big; choose positive influences; speak with kindness; and tell others how you appreciate them.  Rachel Scott was not afraid to stand up for those who were bullied in school, those who were new at school, or those who acted, looked or dressed differently.

Rachel's life, including her poems, essays, and journals found after her death, has impacted millions of people since her family started the nonprofit, Rachel's Challenge. Today, students all over the world take the challenge and write acts of kindness on colored paper, link them together and create paper chains to symbolize their school's "chain reactions" of kindness and compassion. The movement has had a proven impact against bullying, student isolation, teen suicide, discrimination, and school violence.

The community is invited to attend an hour long Rachel’s Challenge presentation in the evening of November 9th beginning at 6:30 PM.  In the auditoriums of both Northern and Southern High Schools, representatives of Rachel’s Challenge will be on hand to introduce the program.  The community is invited and encouraged to come together, at either high school, to be a part of the Rachel’s Challenge community.  Come hear the inspiring true story about one girl’s dream to change the world - “The “Story” that Changes Everything!”