RBC Students Accept "Rachel's Challenge"

On Friday March 7th, Red Bank Catholic students had the privilege of attending a very unusual and powerful school assembly.  Every one of them was visibly moved, some wiping away tears as the presentation concluded.  “Rachel’s Challenge” came to Red Bank Catholic to spread the message of Rachel Scott, who at 17 was the first student killed at Columbine High School in 1999.  That April day will forever be remembered as one of the most horrific in America’ s recent history, but because of Rachel and her outlook on life, these RBC students learned an invaluable positive life lesson.

The “Rachel’s Challenge” website describes the program as one “designed to empower students to combat bullying and to alleviate feelings of isolation and despair by creating a culture of kindness and compassion.”  After her death, Rachel’s family discovered that she had been keeping journals and drawings that expressed her innermost feelings about life, with the underlying message that “a life committed to kindness can impact the world and start a chain reaction.”

The students learned, through the presenter’s words and video interviews with Rachel’s friends and family, that she lived her life always with a commitment to kindness.  Rachel’ s family started to hear from strangers telling them how one little act of kindness from her had forever changed their lives - from the handicapped student who grew up being harassed in the hallways to the transfer student who had no one to sit with her first day in the cafeteria.  By reaching out with some small gesture of kindness,  Rachel unknowingly gave each of those fellow students a reason to hope, a reason to be happy,  and for one young man, a reason to not end his own life. 

As the presentation unfolded, and Rachel’s stories were shared, the atmosphere in the auditorium was palpable.  Students were visibly moved by the powerful message.  The presentation began with the story about an ordinary day in what could be any American high school. That day turned into a horrific tragedy, where teenagers just like themselves experienced the unthinkable. But in the aftermath, Rachel Scott’s family discovered her beautiful, intuitive and sometimes prophetic writings about how she hoped to have an impact on the world and how she wanted to share her message of kindness with as many people as possible, even after she was gone. 

“Rachel’s Challenge,” with its mission to turn “the story of tragic death into a mission for change,” is making Rachel’s wish a reality. It has shared her message with over 19 million people so far and is making an impact worldwide.

As the presentation ended, the students were given five challenges based upon lessons learned from Rachel’s journals: to get rid of any prejudices they may have; to dream big and keep a journal of their goals; to choose positive influences and surround themselves with people who bring out the best in them; to speak with kindness not cruelty; and lastly, in the next three days to tell those people they love most how they feel about them.  The students left with the definite realization that life itself is a special gift; things can change in a matter of minutes, so it is important to tell people you care while you have the chance.

After the presentation, students showed their commitment to accepting Rachel’s Challenge by signing the banner which is displayed in the school lobby.  Going forward, RBC students and administration are actively working to ensure that Rachel’s message will continue to be incorporated into all aspects of student life.