Her life was cut short tragically.
Rachel Scott was the first student killed during the deadly Columbine shootings more than a decade ago.
Twelve years later, her message resonates louder now than ever.
Rachel’s father presented her story to hundreds of 8th graders from Waipahu Intermediate School.
"She left us with six diaries and incredible stories we learned from students that she had reached out to with kindness, compassions, made a difference in their lives," said Darrell Scott.
"Teach everyone to share kindness and let it create a change reaction. So, that’s what we wanted to affect on the school," says Lynund Ramos, an 8th grader.
"I expect that his presentation will change a lot of lives. And it will not only affect us it will start a chain reaction throughout the whole island since we’re the first school," says Chloe Garcia, an 8th grader.
And having the anti-bullying, anti-harrassment message delivered to 7th and 8th graders is invaluable according to the principal.
"I’ve been an elementary school administrator. I’ve been a high school administrator. And I have been an intermediate school administrator. The intermediate school is the most influential age. I think we make the biggest impact on the students," says Waipahu Intermediate Principal Randell Dunn.
What the students heard and saw were writings from Rachel, her thoughts about kindness and compassion. In the 12 years since her death, more than 16 million students have heard her message, her challenge.
"She said that she wanted a million people to do this. So, if we can start doing this maybe others schools can have Rachel’s challenge and it could affect our whole island," says Luse Lumas, an 8th grader.
"So she wrote about an early death. She wrote about an impact on the world. She wrote about changing the world with kindness and compassion – starting a chain reaction. Everything she wrote about happened," Scott says.
Rachel Joy Scott- Leaving behin
d a legacy of not just joy, but of kindness and compassion, and a challenge worth living up to.
See the original article at: KHON2 Local News
