Rachel's Challenge

In the ten years since the Columbine High School shootings, the legacy of Rachel Scott, that tragedy's first victim, has inspired millions of students and adults. Rachel's story -- and her challenge -- will be shared by her father, Darrell Scott, in a special program hosted by Fork Union Military Academy on the evening of October 28, 2009. One month prior to the Columbine tragedy, Rachel Scott, a junior at Columbine High School, wrote an essay for her fifth period class. The essay was titled "My Ethics, My Codes of Life" and contained these memorable lines: "I have this theory, if one person will go out of their way to show compassion it will start a chain reaction of the same. People will never know how far a little kindness can go. You may just start a chain reaction." In the decade since the April 20, 1999 tragedy, Rachel's family has worked to spread this chain reaction of compassion through the organization they founded, "Rachel's Challenge." Rachel's Challenge is a non-profit organization focused solely on inspiring, equipping, and empowering people to create a positive and permanent culture change by starting a chain reaction of kindness and compassion. In the aftermath of incidents like Columbine and the Virginia Tech shootings, much attention is focused on the perpetrators and the underlying causes of their anger and hate for others. Rachel's Challenge chooses to focus on the positive example this young woman offered in espousing kindness and compassion for others. In school programs heard by over 11 million people around the world, Rachel's example of reaching out to those in need has demonstrated the power each person has to make a positive impact in the lives of others. Darrell Scott has testified before Congress in hearings on school violence. He has authored or co-authored five books, and has appeared on scores of national television programs like Oprah, Larry King Live, and The Today Show. He has spoken before millions of people in live presentations presenting his daughter's challenge to practice kindness to others. On October 28, 2009, Darrell Scott will bring his message of courage and hope to the campus of Fork Union Military Academy in Fork Union, Virginia. At 8:15am, Scott will speak to the cadets in the Upper School, followed by a presentation to Middle School cadets at 9:30am. Beginning at 11:00am, Scott will lead a workshop for cadet officers. His evening presentation at 7:00pm will be open to the general public. All parents, students, church groups, and community leaders are invited and encouraged to attend this powerful presentation and to participate in helping start a chain reaction of kindness and compassion within their own communities. The event is free, and open to all. It will be held in the Wicker Chapel at 7:00pm, Wednesday, October 28, 2009 on the grounds of Fork Union Military Academy. For more information on Rachel's Challenge, visit their Web site by clicking the logo below: