Aiming for a chain reaction: Rachel's Challenge presented to parents as well as students in Lockport

Benjamin Joe, Lockport Union-Sun & Journal, N.Y.
·3 min read

Oct. 6—Lockport City School District is taking on Rachel's Challenge, and over the past week the message was brought to students in every school.

"Link Up!", a program that addresses kindness and anti-bullying, was presented to elementary students.

"Rachel's Story" encouraged intermediate students to be more specific about their goals and where they want their positivity to go.

Another program by Rachel's Challenge was presented to students in seventh through 12th grade, and finally there was a presentation for the community at large Thursday evening at Aaron Mossell Junior High School.

Rachel Scott was the first student killed in the 1999 Columbine High School shooting, and in her memory her family decided to spread the message of kindness and compassion that she embodied. The idea behind Rachel's Challenge is to create a positive chain reaction to counteract those who push negativity and hate, like the Columbine shooters.

People who attended the community presentation liked what they heard.

"It was good," said Jeanette Collins, the mother of an Upson Elementary student.

"He's a little young still," she said, referring to her son, "but it's good that it was taught to all the different levels and broken down for the little kids."

Joseph Floss sat in the back of the auditorium with his youngest brother, Payton Floss, during the presentation. When it was done, he said, "It was really good. A little depressing."

Megan Weaver attended with her youngest son, Zachary Weaver, a Mossell student. She said the message resonated with her.

"I really liked that we have a challenge to challenge other students to be kind. I raise my children along the lines of what Rachel's Challenge is, so I like to see that message more," she said.

The presentation was in some ways shocking, although not graphic. At the outset it pored over the events of April 20, 1999, when two students with automatic weapons and pipe bombs walked onto the Columbine (Colorado) High School school grounds and began shooting. Twelve students and one teacher were killed and both of the shooters committed suicide.

But then the presentation went in a different direction, elevating an idea written about by Rachel Scott, who died while eating lunch outside. An essay she had handed in to her teacher two weeks before her death was quoted for the audience.

"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. People will never know how far a little kindness can go," it read in part.

Community members were introduced to the five challenges of Rachel's Challenge:

— Eliminate prejudice.

— Set goals.

— Keep a journal.

— Use kind words.

— Start a chain reaction of kindness and caring.

Of the community presentation, district superintendent Mathis Calvin III said, "Tonight was the night for parents. To help them understand. And these parents will get other parents, and those parents will get more, and it's just a chain reaction. Some of them are going to go home and call someone up and tell them what was said to them and that's what we want them to do."