Rachel Scott, the inspiration for Rachel's Challenge.
SWAT TEAMS pushed toward the school. Students fled. Parents checked lists for students’ names. Mothers embraced sons and daughters. Tears fell.
I watched as the tragic scene unfolded Tuesday night in the Faribault High School Performing Arts Center during a presentation of Rachel’s Challenge. The non-profit, through video footage and a speaker, shared the story of the 1999 Columbine High School massacre that left 12 students and one teacher dead and 27 wounded in 22 minutes. Rachel Scott, 17, was the first killed, as she sat outside eating lunch.
Her story inspired formation of Rachel’s Challenge, now the largest school assembly program in the country. The program reverberates with the message to treat others with kindness, just as Rachel did.
“People will never know how far a little kindness can go,” Rachel wrote in a “My Ethics, My Codes of Life” essay she penned for a high school class shortly before her April 20 death. She urged others to begin a chain reaction by showing kindness and compassion to others.
This teen, who befriended others, chose Anne Frank as her role model, kept journals and expected to die young, has significantly impacted the world, just as she predicted. At age 13, Rachel traced her handprints on the back of a dresser and wrote: “These hands belong to Rachel Joy Scott and will someday touch millions of hearts.”
Rachel Joy Scott touched my heart Tuesday night. And judging from the attentive audience, some of whom were wiping tears from their eyes like me, she touched many hearts.
Owatonna native Sarah Branion was so inspired by Rachel’s message that she decided to dedicate her life to Rachel’s Challenge, she told audience members. She presented Tuesday evening’s program, one that included five challenges.
Tagged as “Rachel’s Challenges,” Branion encouraged attendees to:
1) ELIMINATE PREJUDICES in your heart. Look for the best in others. Give people three chances before judging or labeling them.
The back of Rachel's last journal, found in her backpack. She wrote on the cover: "I won't be labeled as average."
2) DARE TO DREAM. Write down your goals and keep a journal for 30 days, leaving a legacy for your family. (Rachel left six journals for her family.)
3) CHOOSE POSITIVE INFLUENCES. Input determines output.
4) Use KIND WORDS. Little acts of kindness can make a huge difference in the lives of others.
5) START A CHAIN REACTION of love, kindness and compassion in your family and community.
As I contemplated those five challenges, I also considered the words of Craig Scott, Rachel’s brother. He was with his friends, Matt and Isaiah, in the school library, where most of the Columbine students died. Isaiah, one of only a few black students in an all-white school, was taunted with racial slurs before he was killed. Craig recalled Isaiah’s final words: “I wanna see my mom.”
Rachel’s first challenge: Eliminate prejudices in your heart.
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(For more information about Rachel’s Challenge, go to http://rachelschallenge.org. Thank you to the Faribault Rotary Club for bringing this powerful and inspiring program to Faribault. Images are courtesy of Rachel’s Challenge.)
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
I learned about this on november 30, 2009 8:00 am- 9:00 am. When I watched this video at my school assembly it truley touched my heart. I wanted to slap my friends because they were laughing and didn’t care. I told them that what if that was you! Would you want people laughing at you because you got shot! No I know I wouldn’t. So When it came time for me to sign the banner that said do you accept Rachel’s challenge? I rushed up there to sign the banner with 2 or 3 of my friends. I can truley say that my new hero is Rachel Scott because of everything she did to help the world and just what she did to help the people who were disabled, bullied, or new. I will personaly do WHATEVER it says to do. I WON’T BE LABLED AS AvERAGE! Rachel Scott WILL be missed! I will start a chain reaction! “Desiring is a part of dreaming.” Rachel Scott.
Samantha, Good for you to stand up to your friends and express your opinion regarding Rachel’s Challenge. And good for you to accept those challenges. This world can only be a better place because of what you bring to others. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
i became aware of what went on a columbine hs in 1999 when i was in 8th grade. my friend brought me her copy of rachel’s tears and i began to read. i thought it was good but didn’t pay too much attention to it at first. then about half way thru the book, while i was in class reading, i broke down in tears. i left the class and my teacher asked what was wrong when i came back. i cried when i found out how she died. ever since then i have become “fascinated” with the events of april 20 1999. i have read rachels tears rachels journals and a book called columbine. the columbine book was very eye opening and sad. i did get upset a few times at the way those 2 boys took out their anger but what can i do. i was 3 when this all happened anyway. but i have accepted her challenge and it is so worth it. my friends have read the book and loved it. read it and take the challenge. racheljoyscott.com well worth it and rachelschallenge.com! go to them and check it out!
Jessica, I applaud you for accepting Rachel’s challenge. It is a tribute to Rachel that individuals, like you, will live life to the fullest–caring and making a difference in the lives of others.
Thanks for sharing your heartfelt thoughts with the readers of Minnesota Prairie Roots.
wow this is so sad i feel really bad and i just had a rachels chalenge assembly today at school and me and my friends cried because of the videos…..it is truly sad.
Jolene, this really is sad. But you and your friends can turn this into something positive by participating in Rachel’s Challenge to make this world a better place. Begin with kindness and compassion. The fact that you took the time to comment here shows me that you care and can make a positive difference in the lives of others.
I Had the Rachels challenge assembly a couple of days ago.during that time i was holding a Grugde on one of my friends after the assembly we both made up. i now choose Rachel as my role model even though i was 2 when she died i still appreciate the kindness she gave to other people. my family members might mock me and say I am silly but i will always be nice to everyone and always.
Good for you, Jassy, to accept Rachel’s Challenge and immediately take action. As for your family, continue to give them your love and kindness and they’ll soon learn that you’re not being silly at all by following Rachel’s example.
im going to start doing the challenge and change my bad ways and i am going to change my attitude towards others around me
Kudos, Cassie. You go, girl.
hi Am priscilla, from the south pacific osean, I read Rachel’s book and it dawn on me that our life, the days that we have are all numbered, and what we do with them all counts and I bleieve that Rechel’s days are all for the Glory of God…am now studying and Cuba for doctor and life is really tough away from home but I believe am brought here for a purpose and like Rachel Iam inspired to reachout to those around me….
What a great take-away you have from Rachel’s story. I am confident you will reach your goal to become a doctor, despite the challenges of being away from home. And I fully expect you to be one caring and compassionate physician. God bless you, Priscilla.