Students make kindness commitment

By HEIDI DESCH / Hungry Horse News

Jim May issued a challenge to Columbia Falls Junior High School on Tuesday morning.

He asked everyone to close their eyes and think of five people in their lives that mean the most to them.

The audience remained silent except for a few sniffles from those holding back tears. Many held their heads bowed.

May said the people could be a friend or family member or a teacher or coach.

"Next week I want you to contact them by phone or letter, preferably face to face," he said. "I want you to say 'thank you' and let them know how much they mean to you. I don't want you to make a commitment you won't keep."

It's a powerful idea. But it's not May's idea, he's only the messenger.

May is one of several speakers that travel the country passing on Rachel's Challenge.

Rachel's Challenge is named for Rachel Scott, the first person killed at Columbine High School during a massive school shooting in April of 1999.

Rachel was just 17 years old when she was sitting outside the cafeteria that day and two gunmen opened fire. There were 12 students and one teacher killed. The gunmen then killed themselves.

After her death, Rachel's family found her writings and journals that became the foundation for Rachel's Challenge.

In her writing was a message built on performing random acts of kindness.

"My codes may seem like a fantasy that can never be reached, but test them for yourself, and see the kind of effect they have in the lives of people around you. You just may start a chain reaction," Rachel had written in an essay just weeks before the tragedy.

"Rachel was a remarkable young lady," May told the audience. May is a friend of Rachel's father, Darrell Scott, who actually began Rachel's Challenge.

Rachel's brother, Craig, was also at the school that day. He watched as two of his friends were shot to death while hiding with him behind a table. Craig also speaks about Rachel's Challenge and spreads the same message that Rachel believed in.

THERE ARE five parts to Rachel's Challenge:

? Eliminate prejudice - by looking for the best in others.

? Dare to dream - set goals and keep a journal.

? Choose your influences - input determines output.

? Kind words - small acts of kindness equal huge impact.

? Start a chain reaction with family and friends.

The parts of the challenge come from Rachel's writings and her actions.

May told one story of when Rachel saw another student being bullied and she stepped in to stop it. It was only after her death that the student told her family the story.

"She put herself between them and (the student)," said May. "She said, 'If you touch him again you'll have to fight me first.'"

That student, who had suffered teasing his whole life because of disabilities, said later that Rachel's actions had stopped him in his plans to commit suicide.

Examples of Rachel's view on the world and how she thought it could be better were obvious to those around her.

May said just some 20 minutes before the shooting Rachel had a conversation with one of her teachers.

"She said 'I'm going to be an impact on the world,'" said May.

During that same conversation, Rachel had showed her teacher a drawing in her journal that she said was not completed, but she had been inspired to draw it.

That journal was in Rachel's backpack at the time she was shot. Later, when her father was able to get her backpack, he found the journal.

In the journal, Rachel had written her thoughts. On the backside near the binding was written the message: I won't be labeled as average.

Right below the phrase, a hole marks the spot where a bullet passed through the book.

WHAT'S MORE telling of Rachel's feelings are drawings inside the journal.

The last picture she had been drawing in the journal was eyes with tear drops. The drops stream down the page and turn into blood drops before landing on a rose. She drew 13 drops, the same as the number as those killed that day.

Rachel earlier had also drawn the same rose coming out of a columbine flower. The rose was also marked by blood drops.

"The rose is the national flower and the columbine is the same name as the school," explained May.

Today, Rachel's Challenge presentations are given across the world. Documentaries have been made on Rachel's life and 30 books have been written about her.

May also gave a presentation at Columbia Falls High School on Tuesday. He conducted a training session with junior high and high school students as well on creating a Friends of Rachel club, which continues Rachel's Challenge in schools by promoting the five-part challenge.

Students who wished to formally accept the challenge were also given the chance to sign a banner marking their pledge.

Messages from Rachel's family and friends are displayed through a video presentation to audiences. Rachel's father and brother, Craig, speak about Rachel.

Craig's words about his sister are heartfelt and often moving. He leaves viewers with one chilling thought.

"They took my sister's life. She had lots of dreams and passion and they killed her."