by Allison, Kristalyn & Crystal

My Response to Rachel’s Challenge
Allison Mackie

Last week I watched an assembly at my school regarding something called “Rachel’s Challenge”, and it’s become something that is truly now a major part of my life. Rachel Scott was the first victim of the 1999 shooting at Columbine High School, which swept the nation in a blanket of sadness and remorse. It is the largest casualty rate recorded of high school shootings in America’s history.

Rachel had a vision of a world filled with kindness and compassion and wrote an essay just six weeks before her death describing her challenge. There are actually five challenges, all playing on the same pivot points of kindness, compassion, and love, that her friends and family have decided to share with the world.

THE 5 CHALLENGES:
#1 Look for the best in others
#2 Choose positive influences
#3 Write goals/diary/journal
#4 Little acts of kindness go a long way
#5 Start a chain reaction

Rachel was a firm believer that if one were kind to the other, it would in turn begin a chain reaction of compassion throughout the world.

Even as a little girl, Rachel knew she would make an impact on the world. Now, today, her writings and accounts are well known around the world. She had a great message to spread, and it was how she lived her life. I intend to follow up on what Rachel was unfortunately unable to finish. I will change the world. I will touch the hearts of millions, as has Rachel.

I choose this cause to support on my birthday, which is on October 25, (Facebook wish list challenge) because it is something that is dear to my heart. I have the utmost respect and admiration for Rachel and the people around her. I intend to carry out the dreams of a girl who did it all on her own by the time she was 17. Rachel, I guess you could say, is my idol.

I encourage you all to research Rachel’s Challenge further. It is something that has had a huge impact on my life and the way I live my day-to-day life.

Allison Mackie is 15 years old and an ongoing contributor to our Teen Talk section; although she enjoys many things, her passion is writing.

My Reactions to Rachel’s Challenge
Kristalyn Patzkowski

The assembly was very well organized, and as soon as we left the performing arts theater, it was obvious it had a huge impact on MANY students. Everyone was going around school and going up to their friends. There were tears and there were hugs. There was emotion. The topic didn’t die down quickly. In all of our classes that Thursday we talked to our teachers about our goals and how we think we could impact other students.

The part of the assembly that affected me the most was when the speaker, a friend of Rachel’s named Adam, asked every person in the PAT to close their eyes. He asked us to think of 7-8 people and let their images come into our minds. He then told us during the next few days to go up to those 7-8 people and tell them how much they mean to us. Quickly, I realized that there were way more than eight people in my life that I needed to say I love you to.

Kristalyn Patzkowski is 16 years old and an ongoing contributor to our Teen Talk section, but prefers writing that is not assigned, especially poetry.

My Thoughts on Rachel’s Challenge
Crystal Rakes

Rachel’s Challenge made me think of how I would be remembered. She was an amazing person who started an amazing thing after her death. Her actions created a legacy that has affected the lives of so many people. I took on Rachel’s Challenge to do good and make a difference.

Crystal Rakes is 17 years old and an ongoing contributor to our Teen Talk section, found playing trumpet, reading or swimming when not writing.

To learn more about Rachel’s Challenge, visit their Facebook and website.

A book about Rachel written by her father Darrell Scott called, Rachel’s Tears can be purchased on Amazon.