Before Rachel Scott was killed in the Columbine shooting, she hoped to make an impact on the world around her. Now, her message has found its way to the students of Central High School.
Rachel’s Challenge, created by Scott’s father and stepmother, is an innovative program inspired by an ethics paper Rachel wrote shortly before her death, said Central school counselor Chelsea Long. In it, Rachel challenged the reader to reach out to people and withhold judgment, and Rachel’s Challenge encourages other students to do so.
“It is such a hot topic that it can get hokey sometimes, and this particular presentation makes it very relatable to adults and students. It is one of the few I’ve seen where the kids really get engaged in it,” said Central senior counselor Lindsey Ruggles, who encouraged principal Finley King to bring Rachel’s Challenge to the school after experiencing it at her former school in Alabama.
The initial impact the program had on the students was impressive, Ruggles said.
King said he hopes to bring the program back to Central, and encouraged all other schools to consider it as well.