‘Change starts with one person’
By Toni Garrard Clay/AISD Communications Specialist
In 1999, 12 students and one teacher were shot and killed by two students at Columbine High School in Colorado. The first of those to be killed in the senseless tragedy was Rachel Scott, a well-liked young lady with huge goals for her future. Her story did not end that day. In fact, her 17 years of life left a legacy that has gone on to reach and uplift millions in the form of “Rachel’s Challenge.”
At 7 p.m. on November 4 at the Athens High School Annex Auditorium, Rachel’s Challenge will be officially introduced within Athens ISD. The hope is that the program’s impact will be community wide and not confined within the school walls. To have that impact, the district leadership team is calling on students, parents, community leaders and everyone who believes one person can make a positive impact on the lives of others to join us for the presentation.
After her death, Rachel’s family found six diaries and an essay that detailed her passionate desire to start a chain reaction of compassion. Rachel wrote of her goal to touch people’s lives in such a way that a ripple of kindness would grow into a swell that washed over her school, her hometown, her state and her nation.
With those words as their inspiration, her family established Rachel’s Challenge. Today it is one of the largest intervention program in the United States, reaching millions of teachers and students every year with presenters who go around the world sharing their story and training others on how to improve the climate and culture within schools. It is not unusual after a presentation to hear people express their desire for the program to be seen by students across the nation.
“Rachel’s Challenge is the single most powerful intervention I have ever seen in 40 years of working in education,” said Dr. Robert Marzano, a leading researcher and speaker in education who has written over 30 books. “You’re going to find out how students can be inspired in a way you probably haven’t seen before. You’re going to find out how students who have not been reachable before can be reached.”
The Nov. 4 community presentation will feature Rachel’s Challenge representative Fred Lynch, a former gospel hip hop artist and a longtime youth advocate.
“Rachel was determined that, even though she was one person, she was going to change the world,” said Yadira Chairez, parent liaison for Athens ISD. “So it doesn’t matter if you’re just one person. Change starts with one person.”
AISD Student Services Director Dr. Diana Vaughn believes the program will further promote an anti-bullying and pro-compassion environment for students and staff.
“Just one hour in the evening could spawn a lifetime of change for students, educators and the community,” she said. “We want as many people there as possible so we can start strong.”
For more information on Rachel’s Challenge, visit rachelschallenge.org.