On Friday, Sept.19, FHS held an assembly for Rachel’s Challenge. This was the second year in a row Freedom has done this assembly. Last year, students learned about the story of Rachel Scott. Rachel was one of several students killed in a shooting on April 20, 1999 at Columbine High School in Littleton, CO. This day was very tragic for Columbine High School and the community. Two students took guns into the school, killing twelve students, one teacher and themselves.

Last year’s assembly was an emotional rollercoaster for many students because of the writings and stories that were spoken of. The first part of Rachel’s Challenge focuses on the positive impacts that people can have on each other and to ‘start a chain of kindness.’ After the assembly many students signed the banner accepting Rachel’s Challenge and now a year later the program came back to remind the students of the challenge they decided to take on.

This year at the assembly students listened and watched a 60 minute presentation based upon the legacy that Scott left. Students were reminded that it’s never too late to change your life for the better. Even if you didn’t follow up on your promises from last year, you could recommit to Rachel’s Challenge this year.

The presentation focused on five main points about the work Scott left behind. These challenges were: leave a legacy of kindness, show compassion, practice pre-acceptance , learn from your mistakes and forgive yourself and others. The goal of these five challenges is to show students that by applying these ideas to their lives, they can start their own positive legacy.

“Its a really simple thing to do… just be kind,” Ms. Rita Kaplin said. Being kind to others is one of the key ideas that is taught by this program. Rachel’s challenge tries to show students the power of kindness and how effective it can be on people.

“Some kids are busy in their own world and don’t realize what being kind to someone could really do,” Kaplin said.

Scott’s story has left such a positive light on our school. Because of this, the school is thinking about repainting our mural in the hallway by the gym to reflect Rachel’s Challenge. The mural would be of Scott’s hands and a positive message would also be painted on the wall.

Though it is not only the mural that the schools wishing to change, but student’s outlook on themselves and others.

“I have to stress, everyone is responsible for keeping the program going. It can’t be one person, it has to be everyone,”Kaplin said.