RACHEL'S CHALLENGE: Students just may start a positive chain reaction

By RENEE WEBB, Globe editor
Nov. 23, 2006

The name of the first student to be killed at Columbine High School on April 20, 1999 was Rachel Scott. Her story will be told at Sacred Heart Grade School in Sioux City on Nov. 28 in the hopes that it will positively impact the way students treat one another.

During the day, fifth through eighth grade students of Bishop Heelan Catholic Schools along with students from St. Michael School in South Sioux City, Neb., will attend the program and an evening session will be presented to parents and the public at 7 p.m. in the Sacred Heart School gymnasium.

Brenda Ferrie, principal of Sacred Heart, put forth the effort to bring the program called Rachel's Challenge to the Catholic schools after she attended it when the public schools brought it to Sioux City a couple of months ago. A Sacred Heart teacher and parent brought the program to Ferrie's attention.

"I attended the parent session at East High School and thought it was wonderful," she said. "It has a wonderful message for kids."

Through moving video footage, personal interviews with Columbine survivors and honest talk from professionally trained speakers, students will discover how words can leave a lasting impact.

"I don't think kids really have a full grasp as to how harmful their words or actions can be towards another student," said Ferrie. "I am hoping to bring awareness that every act they do throughout the day can really impact others. They need to be aware of that on a constant basis."

Rachel Scott was known to be a very positive individual who showed acts of kindness towards others, even strangers.

Wishing to tell their daughter's story, Rachel's parents started the program. They called it Rachel's Challenge, hoping that it would motivate students to see all people as valuable and worthy of dignity and respect.

"From a very young age Rachel had told people over and over that she was going to die young and that she wanted to impact the world," noted Ferrie. "Of course no one thought anything of that at the time, but now that is what she is doing with her message."

Unfortunately, it was not until after Rachel's death when people began to talk about how the teenager positively impacted so many lives.

Organizers of Rachel's Challenge have said that it will change the climate at schools. When students see the painful scars that their brutal words can leave, then bullying, name-calling and gossip will stop.

Along with learning about the negative impact that words can bring, the students will learn how to reach out to others who may be hurting. As the assembly draws to a close, they will be asked to sign a banner if they accept Rachel's Challenge which includes five main points: 1) Eliminate Prejudice by looking for the best in others, 2) Dare to Dream by setting goals and keeping a journal, 3) Choose your Influences by centering on the fact that input determines output, 4) Kind Words, small acts of kindness can make a huge impact and 5) Start a Chain Reaction with family and friends.

After the assembly, a leadership team made up of students from each of the schools will receive special training so that the program can be continued throughout the year.

Ferrie mentioned that in the last few years most schools have implemented programs to raise awareness about bullying. She explained that bullying has been around for years but in recent years many more resources to address the problem are available.

"We are trying to address it more because it seems to be such a huge impact on students impact on academics," she said. "We also want a great, caring faith environment for the kids."

The parents session is similar to the kids' assembly but with higher content.

"It is such a wonderful program that anyone is welcome to attend," said Ferrie.

There is no registration or charge to attend.