by Bea Peterson
“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.” Those are the words of Rachel Joy Scott, the first person killed at Columbine High School in Colorado on April 20, 1999. Twelve students and one teacher were killed that day, and 27 others were wounded.
On Monday, November 23, Shane Hamman shared Rachel’s words and her life story through video clips and pictures with various classes at Hoosick Falls Central School. In the evening he spoke to almost 200 parents and to students who returned to school to hear him again. Hamman told his audiences that Rachel’s father, Darrell Scott, was motivated to found Rachel’s Challenge after he read her six diaries and an essay she wrote for a class assignment a month before she was killed. Her “theory” is part of that essay. The goal of the program is to “motivate, educate and bring positive change to many young people.”
Hamman encouraged everyone to five challenges:
1 – Eliminate Prejudice. Hamman said Rachel’s brother Scott was under a desk in the Columbine School Library that day. His friends on either side of him were killed. What Scott remembers is that one of those friends was black and he died hearing racial slurs hurled at him.
2 – Dare to Dream. Set goals. Keep a journal. Hamman, a former Olympian, holds 14 World Records for weight lifting. He achieved those goals by writing down his dreams and working hard to make them a reality. “You’ve got to have dreams to accomplish them,” he said.
3 – Choose your influences. Rachel wrote, “Don’t let your character change color with your environment. Find out who you are and let it stay its true color.” Hamman encouraged everyone to be considerate of the disabled, welcome those new to the school or community and be a friend to those who are “picked on or put down.”
4 – Kind Words. Little acts of kindness can bring huge results, Hamman told the audience.
5 – Start a Chain Reaction. Hamman suggested everyone think of the five people who mean the most to them and make it a point to tell them how much you love them and how important they are to you.
Friends Of Rachel Club
As a result of Hamman’s presentation, students and teachers at Hoosick Falls Central School have formed a Friends Of Rachel Club. The Club will choose projects to benefit the school and community and members will work daily to live up to Rachel’s Challenge.
