As presenter Cody Hodges described, “It was a day just like any other, except it was April 20, the first warm spring day in 1999 in Colorado. Seventeen-year old Rachel Scott took her lunch and went outside the doors of the high school to sit in the grass, have her lunch and enjoy the warm air. Moments later she was the first person shot and killed at Columbine High School.” 

There are many causes which have their origins in tragedy. There are many laws in place which are known by the name of a victim. The non-profit organization Rachel’s Challenge – an organization dedicated to creating positive school cultures and ending violence in schools – was indeed born of tragedy, but its power and effect go far beyond acknowledgment of a victim. 

Rachel’s Challenge grew out of how Rachel Scott lived her life. It is an effort to take the wisdom and compassion with which she lived and create a “chain reaction of kindness.”  

It is with this hope that Mineola Schools hosted the Rachel’s Challenge team last week. On Wednesday, the Mineola gymnasium was practically standing room only, as the entire middle and high school population received a one-hour presentation on the life of Rachel Scott. 

That afternoon, in an off-site event conducted at the Hidden Pines Venue, selected students took the afternoon to participate in a leadership seminar. That evening, the presentation, slightly altered, was offered to parents and families at the school. 

According to Hodges, the genesis of Rachel’s Challenge was not immediately clear. However, in the aftermath of the killing, person after person came forth to describe how this young woman had impacted them profoundly through her compassion. 

Her casket, on the day of her burial, was almost completely covered by written sentiments for Rachel and the way she led her life.

The Scott family also learned more of her life after her passing. She was committed to keeping journals. In them she penned some of the most thoughtful and hopeful passages. Six weeks before the rampage at Columbine, she authored an essay titled, “My Ethics, My Code of Life.”

Rachel Scott was enlightened. Family and friends began to examine more closely her beliefs and her approach to living a compassionate life, and most importantly, how she put it into action.

What grew out of Rachel’s life and her beliefs is now offered to students across the country. Rachel’s Challenge endeavors to guide students to take a step toward goodness, a step toward kindness and away from hate, toward humanity and away from alienation. 

Hodges first heard of Rachel Scott when listening to her father speak of her at a seminar nearly 20 years ago. For the past 15 years, Hodges’ career has been bringing Rachel’s message to students.

Combining video clips of Rachel, exerts from her writings, interviews with those she impacted, and personal stories, Hodges presented a well-considered argument for following Rachel’s ethics. 

The presentation is shaped around five challenges offered to the students: 1. Look for the best in others, 2. Dream big, 3. Choose positive influences, 4. Speak kindness, and 5. Start your own chain reaction of compassion.

The discussion led by Hodges did not sugar-coat anything. In well-reasoned arguments, Hodges directly challenged the youthful audience. He returned again and again to the responsibility all have to make overt decisions. Those decisions should be for the greater good. “Do not settle for the comfortable or the accepted,” he said, “choose the good path.”

After her death, the Scott family discovered two handprints on the wall behind Rachel’s dresser in her room. Written above the handprints were the words: “These hands belong to Rachel Scott and will someday touch millions of hearts.” 

As of today, 32 million young people have heard her message and been touched by her example.