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Rachel's Challenge touches hearts at Cape

Rachel's Challenge presenter Jimmy "JB" relays the meaning of the writings and drawings of Rachel Scott, the first student who died at Columbine High School in 1999. Rachel believed that anyone can start a chain reaction of kindness. BY DAN COOK
Dan Cook
November 12, 2014
Rachel's Challenge has made an impact on over 21 million people around the world, a number that grows each year by an estimated 2 million. BY DAN COOK
Cape sophomores Taylor Jefferson, left, and Mandi Fisher listen intently as presenter "JB" talks about Rachel Scott. Jefferson said Rachel should be an inspiration to everyone. BY DAN COOK
Students were visibly touched by the Rachel's Challenge program. BY DAN COOK
Peyton Ferguson, left, and Natalie Oldham listen to the presentation. "Rachel's Challenge was very moving experience," said Ferguson. "I think the program will make people want to be nicer to everyone." BY DAN COOK
Students were asked to accept Rachel's Challenge to start a chain reaction of kindness. BY DAN COOK

Rachel Joy Scott was the first student killed at Columbine High School in 1999, when two students opened fire, killing 12 students and one teacher. Her family began Rachel's Challenge shortly after her death when they realized that her writings and drawings made a lasting impressing on her classmates and other students around the world.

Rachel's Challenge is a student empowering program that uses five steps to to create a culture of kindness in the school and to carry on acts of kindness to create a better learning environment. The five steps are

• Look for the best in people.

• Dream big.

• Choose positive influences.

• Speak with kindness.

• Start your own chain reaction.

Shortly before her death, Rachel wrote," 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."

"I think Rachel's Challenge is a really good program that inspires teens to make the right choices," said Cape sophomore Taylor Jefferson. "Rachel saw the best in people which is something everyone should strive to do."

"It was a great program for all students," said freshman Peyton Ferguson. "Hopefully it will influence people to be a little more kind to others."

For more information on Rachel's Challenge go to rachelschallenge.org.

 

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Dan has worked for the Cape Gazette for more than 30 years as a photographer and reporter, covering high school sports and happenings around eastern Sussex County. He won a photography award from the National Newspaper Association, and numerous awards from the Maryland, Delaware, D.C. Press Association. A Delaware native, Dan graduated from Cape in 1972 and returned as a teacher and coach in the 1980s. He retired from the classroom in 2016. He was inducted into Cape High’s Legends Stadium in 2016. In his spare time, Dan enjoys spending time with his wife, two sons, grandchildren and dogs. 

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