Lincoln Park students learn about ‘Rachel’s Challenge’

The program promotes a positive climate in schools Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School students and staff attended a powerful presentation Wednesday called Rachel’s Challenge.

At the conclusion, promises were made to take the challenge and start a chain reaction that promotes respect, kindness, and compassion in order to prevent bullying, prejudice, and acts of violence.

The program called Rachel’s Challenge is based on the life and writings of 17-year-old Rachel Joy Scott, the first victim of the Columbine High School shooting April 20,1999. One teacher and 12 students died in the massacre that left more than 20 others wounded. Since then, the number of deadly school shootings have increased, most recently at Marjory Stoneman Douglas in Parkland, Fla., resulting in 17 people being killed.

Lincoln Park welcomed Chris Mowery, a regional presenter with Rachel’s Challenge, who
conducted two assemblies for middle and high school students. He struck an emotional chord
telling Rachel’s story and her dream to make an impact on the world.

Rachel often wrote in a journal that included her thoughts on respecting and loving others, particularly students with special needs, new students, and bullied students.

Weeks before she died, Rachel wrote in her journal: “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. People will
never know how far a little kindness can go.”

Mowery outlined five steps using Rachel’s words as a model for students to fight negativity by igniting change around them: to look for the best in other people and eliminate prejudice; to dream big and write your goals in a journal; to choose positive influences; to speak with kindness; and to start your own chain reaction.

“Your words have the power to hurt, but they also have the power to heal, and it’s up to us,” Mowery said.

Mowery said every day we make choices about who and what we allow to influence our lives. He asked students to be deliberate about influences, but to also look for the best in people, pointing out you never know what others are going through.

“Sometimes, all it takes from any of us, is to say, ‘you matter,’” Mowery said.

Rachel’s father, Darrell Scott, founded the organization and modeled it after his daughter’s life and writings. He has also authored three books, including the bestseller “Rachel’s Tears.”

Before meeting the Scott family, Mowery read the book and began sharing Rachel’s story when he worked as a youth pastor. Mowery was so inspired, he and his wife named their oldest of three children Rachel Joy. He later met Rachel’s parents and brother, who survived the shooting, and Mowery said he feels a connection to the family and Rachel. Though the two never met, Mowery sees Rachel as a little sister.

Students who accepted the challenge had a chance to sign a banner during lunch. Members of the new Friends of Rachel (F.O.R. Club) also met with Mowery in the afternoon. The club aims to continue to build a positive school climate for all students and staff.
“We don’t want today to be a one-time thing. We want it to be the beginning of a movement,” Mowery said.

Since the inception of Rachel’s Challenge, 25 million people have been touched by Rachel and her legacy. The program promotes a positive climate in K-12 schools and is credited with preventing more than 150 suicides each year and decreasing bullying and violence. Blair McCombs, an eighth-grade music major, was one of many students who publicly vowed to take the challenge.

“I felt really bad for the people in her life, but they have turned it into something good.” Natélie Rosales, a senior media major and F.O.R Club member, said she “loved” the assembly and was grateful to hear the message.

“I think they’re doing something super impactful and extremely life-changing within every single student that is in every school — schools all over the country. That’s a lot of people they’re affecting and all because of this one girl. This one girl made a huge difference in the lives of so many people just by being who she was and viewing the world differently.”

“Rachel carried out that action of compassion, which is so beautiful to see what can happen from just a small action to start a chain reaction,” Rosales added.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]