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LETTERS / Rachel’s Challenge

Dear Editor,

During the school day Tuesday August 28th, all WHS students attended a session on bullying. That evening a similar session was held for parents and the whole community. But this was not a typical talk about bullying. We rode a roller coaster of emotions as Rachel challenged us in more ways than just that. Rachel Joy Scott was the first person to be killed in the Columbine High School shooting in 1999. Based on her writings, journals, art and poetry, her family and friends established Rachel’s Challenge in her honor. Rachel wrote “I have this theory that if one person will go out of their way to show compassion then it will start a chain reaction of the same.” She challenges us to look for the best in others, dream big, choose positive influences, speak with kindness, and start our own chain reaction. We watched, read, and heard how Rachel impacted the lives of so many doing these very things.

After the presentation there was a small reception and I had the pleasure of talking with an energetic WHS senior who has become a member of the Friends Of Rachel (FOR). About 100 WHS students joined FOR to be a leadership team with the goal of continuing to promote Rachel’s Challenge. I look forward to the chain reaction at WHS and seeing it spread out into our entire community. So if someone shows you a kindness, think of Rachel, and keep the reaction going.

As a parent and candidate for School Board I want to thank Ms. Farris and Mr. Gasperson for making Rachel’s Challenge happen at WHS. See http://www.rachelschallenge.org for more information about Rachel’s Challenge.

Jay Fenwick
Candidate 2012, Watauga Board of Education