BRYAN, Texas - Rachel Joy Scott, before April 20, 1999 she was not known by many. But shortly after tragically losing her life in what was then the deadliest high school shooting in US history, her story touched millions.
Now 19 years later her lifelong dream of touching the world through kindness continues. During a special assembly, Bryan ISD students got a chance to hear Rachel’s story and for many it was their first time ever hearing of Columbine.
“Honestly it shocked me and made me very emotional, it made me feel empathy for all of the parents when I saw their reactions to their kids not coming out,” said eight grade Stephen F. Austin student Mason Rice.
The assembly was a chance for students to accept Rachel’s challenge, a program that encourages students to lead with compassion and show that a small act of kindness, much like a chain reaction, can go a long way.
“We have this essential 8 thing and I think it goes hand in hand with this because it uses a very touching example of how to demonstrate kindness in real life ways here at school,” said Rice.
This the second Rachel’s Challenge assembly in Bryan ISD, and the district says they will be hosting more later in the school year.
“It’s a really good program and I think a lot of people should see this because it really opens your eyes to something that I would have not known otherwise,” said Rice.