Rachel’s Challenge
Rachel Joy Scott, as many people well know, was one of the victims to one of the most notorious school shootings to ever take place in the 20th century. Rachel Joy Scott lost her life on April 20th 1999 at the age of 17 years old along with 12 other students and 1 teacher to the shooters, Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold. During the beginning of the shooting, Harris and Klebold walked into the school killing their first victim, who was Rachel. The boys proceded to the library where they eventually committed suicide. The library was the most gruesome part of the shooting, which led to 12 dead in a matter of 7 and a half minutes and 27 wounded.
On April 24, 1999, Rachel’s funeral took place. Her funeral was broadcasted live on CNN which was the most viewed CNN memorial at the time. A week after the funeral, her parents found a diary entry made by Rachel six weeks before she died. This entry was called My Ethics, My Codes of Life. The main essence of Rachel’s entry was to highlight how she wanted to change the world and try to be kind to everyone in any way possible with her using her ethics as a guide. She wrote “I have this theory that, if one person can go out of their way to show compassion, then it will start a chain reaction of the same.” This led to the creation of Rachel’s Challenge.
Twenty-four years after her death, Rachel is still inspiring people to keep her legacy alive. This includes her family who came to Toll Gate this past October to spread hope. They wanted to share Rachel’s story, her code of ethics and ultimately her challenges to people who would listen to her story.
Toll Gate health and PE teacher, Mr Kennedy, has been inspired by Rachel’s story enough to follow her own rules and spread awareness to her story and challenges. Mr Kennedy has gone to numerous schools in the district and around the state to share Rachel’s story. Rachel left five challenges, each unique and what she lived by. She hoped to influence people with her goals to start a chain reaction.
Her first challenge was to look for the best in others. Rachel believed that you could see who people really were by looking into their eyes and you could see a glimpse of their heart. The second challenge was to dream big and try to accomplish what you aim for. The third challenge was to look for positive influences. Speak with kindness was the fourth challenge. Lastly, Rachel’s 5th challenge was to start your own chain reaction.
Though Rachel is not alive today, her story and memory is still carried through her family, supporters and friends. More importantly, it is the people who choose to listen and follow her challenges and share them with others.
I had asked Mr Kennedy some questions after his presentation that can be seen at the bottom of this article. To end this off with a simple and sweet note, I would like to share the names and ages of the other victims who died to the Columbine shooters. They should be recognized as well and deserved to be remembered. Daniel Rohrbough (15), Dave Sanders (47), Kyle Velasquez (16), Steven Curnow (14), Cassie Bernall (17), Isaiah Shoels (18), Matthew Kechter (16), Lauren Townsend (18), John Tomlin (17), Kelly Fleming (16), Daniel Mauser (15), Corey DePooter (17). People who were not killed but injured were Richard Castaldo, 17. Shot in the arm, chest, back, and abdomen alongside the west entrance to the school. Sean Graves, 15. Shot in the back, foot, and abdomen near the west staircase. Lance Kirklin, 16. Critically injured by shots to the leg, neck, and jaw near the west staircase. Michael Johnson, 15. Shot in the face, arm, and leg to the west of the staircase. Mark Taylor, 16. Shot in the chest, arms, and leg to the west of the staircase.
The best way we can remember Rachel and the other victims is to share their story and to remember what they went through. Do this by starting your own chain reaction and share the challenges for them.
