Rachel Scott was the first person killed at Columbine High School in April 1999. Her acts of kindness and compassion - coupled with the contents of her six diaries - have become the foundation for one of the most life-changing school programs in America. That program, Rachel's Challenge, came to Susquehanna Valley Thursday, November 19. Dave Gamache, one of thirty Rachel's Challenge presenters who travel the world to spread Rachel's story, gave captivating multi-media presentations to students, parents and community members in a series of assemblies in the high school auditorium.
At either side of the video screen hung a canvas designed specifically for Rachel's Challenge, courtesy of the Magic Paintbrush Project. The canvas at the right of the screen was designed by SV High School YES! Leads peer leaders in July 2009, during the annual summer leadership academy. Listed on the canvas are what the group feels are the most important L-E-A-D-E-R-S-H-I-P qualities in the Peer Leader program: Listening, Enthusiasm, Awareness, Decision-Making, Empathy, Responsibility, Support, Honesty, Involvement, and Persistence. The canvas to the left of the screen was created at JulyFest in downtown Binghamton by members of the community, together with individuals from ACHIEVE, Catholic Charities, Broome Developmental Center and Handicapped Children's Association.
At the conclusion of the morning assemblies, Gamache met with dozens of pre-selected students who have agreed to continue the Rachel's Challenge training in the months ahead as "Friends of Rachel".
During the day on November 19, students and staff were urged to sign a banner, pledging to remember and carry on the lessons they had learned that day.
Photos by Jim Hull