This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Schools

St. Augustine School Takes Up Rachel's Challenge

Former Columbine High School student touches hearts and minds in Elkridge with powerful pro-kindness message.

Rachel Joy Scott was the first of 13 students killed at Columbine High School in the April 1999 massacre, but her life continues to impact students nationwide, most recently in Elkridge.

After the girl's death, her father began Rachel's Challenge from his home in Colorado. "It's a program that empowers students to find a new way to deal with today's problems and bullying," said Nasha Snipes, the representative from Rachel's Challenge who spoke at in Elkridge on Nov. 29. "She emphasized a focus on kindness instead of giving in to an act of violence."

Rachel's father personally trained all representatives in the nonprofit organization, who go on to present the program in schools across the country.

Find out what's happening in Elkridgewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

During her life, Rachel reached out to those who needed her most, said Snipes. For example, she helped new students feel welcome at school. She also defended a boy who was regularly the center of jokes because of his disabilities. After Rachel died, the boy told Rachel's family what she did and that her act of kindness kept him from committing suicide. He told them that someone cared about him, a message Snipes repeated to the Elkridge audience of about 100 people.

While giving snapshots of Rachel's life, Snipes outlined the organization's five challenges to students, faculty and parents at :

Find out what's happening in Elkridgewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

1. Eliminate prejudice by looking for the best in people.
2. Dare to dream by writing down specific goals and keeping a journal.
3. Choose positive influences from the mass of information bombarding people today.
4. Always use kind words and do little acts of kindness.
5. Start a chain reaction of compassion.

These challenges may not seem to amount to much, but they can have a huge impact on people's lives, Snipes said. Already, the organization has brought Rachel's message to millions of people throughout the country. Many middle and high school students have adopted Rachel as a role model. Former Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush have heard and embraced the message of Rachel's Challenge. Famous musicians and actors have too. Her words, which originated from her journals and class assignments, have now made an impression on Elkridge.

Message to become vision for school

Before the assembly presentation, Snipes spent the day with smaller groups of students at , said Principal Patricia Schratz. In the morning, Snipes talked to younger grades and spent the rest of the day with the middle school students. Coaches and teachers canceled events scheduled for that evening so they could participate in the program, which consisted of workshops and talks about Rachel's message of kindness.

"This shows the tremendous support the faculty has for this program," said Schratz. "We want Rachel's message to be a vision for our school."

In agreement, the students all signed a banner pledging to accept Rachel's challenges. After the presentation, the parents and faculty also signed the banner. Their plan: to start a chain reaction of compassion in Elkridge.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?