Heather Latter
She had a theory that “if one person can go out of their way to show compassion, then it will start a chain reaction of the same.”
Those words, written by Rachel Scott shortly before her death in the Columbine High School massacre in 1999, are the basis for the program “Rachel’s Challenge,” which was presented here in Rainy River District last week.
“It is such an important message,” stressed Steve Latimer, youth justice co-ordinator with the local United Native Friendship Centre.
“And it was such an inspiring presentation,” he added. “I haven’t heard one negative comment.”
More than 2,000 students in Grades 7-12 from across the district were able to see the presentation while several hundred members of the community took in the two evening sessions.
The mission of “Rachel’s Challenge” is to inspire, equip, and empower every person to create a permanent positive culture change in their school, business, and community by starting a chain reaction of kindness.
Patrick Kassab, the “Rachel’s Challenge” presenter, helped share the story of Rachel and her message of kindness.
The Townshend Theatre was completely silent as Kassab brought the audience back to the tragic day at Columbine High School in Colorado, where Rachel was the first student killed in the massacre while she sat outside eating her lunch.
She left behind six diaries and her stories have inspired millions of students.
The presentation also offered up recorded interviews of Rachel’s family members and people she had touched.
Kassab gave the students five challenges to help them live a more compassionate life:
1. Look for the best in others
2. Treat others the way you want to be treated
3. Choose positive influences
4. Speak words of kindness, no cruelty
5. Forgive yourself and others
Following the presentations, students signed banners to accept “Rachel’s Challenge,” which will be hung at their schools as a constant reminder of the commitment.
Latimer took the initiative to bring “Rachel’s Challenge” to this area as a way to reinforce compassion and positive peer pressure within local schools.
He began working on this project last spring, seeking enough funds to bring in the presentation, as well as to provide banners and materials to each school so they can continue Rachel’s acts of kindness.
Kassab also provided training to more than 100 student leaders from nearly a dozen area schools—from Rainy River to Nestor Falls to Atikokan—so they can start “Friends of Rachel” (FOR) clubs at their schools.
As the training got underway, students were asked to share how the “Rachel’s Challenge” presentation impacted them. Many, without prodding from their peers, offered their thoughts.
One student said the presentation taught her that she can express herself for who she is. Another indicated it changed her thoughts about bullying.
“I’ve bullied,” added another. “But I’m fed up. It’s time to change and I’m planning to help lead that change.”
The students expressed how they were inspired by Rachel. “If there was someone like that in every school, it would be a better place,” one student stated.
Kassab talked to them about what bullying is, and challenged the youths to stand up for each other and reach out so it would transform their school.
He offered them strategies for how to deal with bullies and gave them ideas about the “FOR” clubs, such as greeting new students when they begin school.
“‘FOR’ clubs are dedicated to making a positive influence,” Kassab explained. “We are ‘FOR’ making campus, community, and the world a better place.
“We are more than a service club.”
“In starting these clubs, the students will target bullying, discrimination, student attitude, and prejudice,” Latimer noted.
“And I believe it’s going to happen,” he replied when asked if he thinks the students will start up “FOR” clubs in their schools.
“There’s no question things will change in some of the schools and I hope all of them.”
“FOR” clubs have been established in many schools throughout the United States to help students continue the chain reaction of kindness and compassion.
The program offers a kit providing a handbook, a classroom manual, a journal, banners, posters, kindness cards, and other materials. There also are webinars available for the students, as well as plenty of ideas to help maintain the momentum of the program throughout the year.
In addition, a resource person from “Rachel’s Challenge” is assigned to the club to provide guidance on a regular basis.
“Not only does this program give them the information, but it gives them the tools to move ahead to make this change that we hope can be made in a positive way, so it’s a really good toolkit,” Latimer said.
He added each school also has a teacher committed to wanting to make the change.
“I’m so happy to see all the involvement,” Latimer enthused. “We have a real shot to get the program growing district-wide.
“It makes everything I’ve done since April worth it,” he remarked, saying his objective was to give 2,000 students not only the information but the tools to change their schools through kindness.
Latimer was thrilled with the support he received from the community, as well as local businesses and organizations, in order to bring the “Rachel’s Challenge” here.
“When people in this district see the value in something, they get behind it, they really do,” he stressed.
