The hour-long presentation recounted the Columbine shootings through news footage, including frantic 911 calls from teachers. Students watched the presentation somberly, learning about Scott, who was the first victim of the shooting that took the lives of 12 students and a teacher.
Long before her death, Scott, inspired by “The Diary of Anne Frank” kept journals in which she wrote about spreading kindness. According to presenter Aaron Kinebrew, a friend of the Scott family, Rachel’s Challenge has five parts: look for the best in others, dream big, choose positive influences, speak with kindness, and start your own chain reaction.
“Both Anne and Rachel were people whose dreams were so big, that nothing could stop them, not even death.” Kinebrew said. He asked the students if they had lost anyone recently, and about a quarter of them raised their hands. Kinebrew said the presentation was dedicated to them.
At the conclusion, junior Denise Singleton wasted no time in signing up for training to continue Rachel’s Challenge.
“What Rachel did was very inspiring and I really hope I can help that, because I feel being kind to people is much better than just being mean to people for no reason,” she said.
Junior Madison Pleiman said, “It impacted me a lot. I need to be nicer to people because I don’t know what they’re going through.”
Jackson Frazier, a sophomore, said the presentation “really hit home” in that “kindness can really change a person’s life.”
Rachel’s Challenge came to Fairfield courtesy of the student government, which wanted to start the school year off on a positive note.
“I think it was very powerful, and I’m really glad we had the opportunity to have Aaron come here and spread this message throughout the student body,” said Nsisong Udosen, a senior who is the student government president.
“I just think that hopefully this will change our school for the better. I think the students really got something out of it, just like I did,” said senior Valeria Mendoza. “I hope the influence Rachel’s had will influence this school as well.”
Rachel's Challenge comes to the school eight months after middle school student Emile Olsen took her own life, reportedly because she was bullied. Some parents have criticized the district for its handling of the case. The program Tuesday did mention bullying and suicide, but guidance counselor Amanda Schur said bringing Rachel's Challenge to the district was already in motion before that tragedy.
About the Author