Dec 03, 2008 - 04:05:27 CST
Larry Scott stands with his back to his audience.He’s looking at photos and video clips of his niece, Rachel Scott, on a projector screen in front of hundreds of middle school students. He sees more than what the audience sees. Rachel Scott was one of 12 students killed at Columbine High School on April 20, 1999, by Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold.
“It is truly a day I will never forget as long as I live,” Scott said. “All because of two angry boys who were mad at a world they thought was unfair. It’s not OK to kill someone because you are bullied.”
By the end of his presentation, he tries to help students in the Horizon Middle School gym see his niece as he did: someone with compassion who yearned to make a difference in the world. In this way, the Scott family hopes to carry on Rachel’s memory and vision.
“I have a purpose and a reason to be here,” Scott said. “I don’t want you to go through what we did as a family, school and community.”
An essay Rachel wrote laid the groundwork for creating Rachel’s Challenge. It’s a lesson in character and respect. Ultimately, it’s about adopting habits that can make a positive impact in the world.
She believed in kindness and the multiplying effect of good acts.
“Rachel challenges the reader to start a chain reaction of compassion,” Scott said.
She did this by focusing on treating other people nicely. She made an extra effort to talk with people who are generally ostracized in school: disabled students, students new to school and students who are bullied or teased, Scott said.
He urged the students to consider ways they could change their behavior and follow in Rachel’s example. He wanted them to look for the best in other people, make goals, choose positive influences in life, use kind words and encourage friends and family to do the same, to start the chain reaction.
Scott also gave a public presentation Tuesday evening at Horizon Middle School. He gives presentations today at 9:30 a.m. at Bismarck High School and at 7 p.m. at Simle Middle School.
For more information, visit www.rachelschallenge.com.
(Reach reporter Sara Kincaid at 250-8251 or sara.kincaid@bismarcktribune.com.)
Sara Kincaid reporter wrote on Dec 3, 2008 2:00 PM:
justwonder wrote on Dec 3, 2008 12:45 PM:
This presentation is the type of thing I hope more schools will have!
This is such a brave & probably very difficult thing for this man to do, but what a true and deep impact it must be having on these students. I like how he targets both sides of the situation. So very sorry it had to come as a result of losing Rachel. "
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