When you are told that you have to attend an anti-bullying assembly, what you might expect is some tired, fruitless lecture that does little more than get you out of a class period. The Rachel’s Challenge presentation held today at CHS was anything but that.

Rachel’s Challenge was started in memoriam of Rachel Joy Scott, the first victim of the Columbine shooting in 1999. The assembly centered on her life, death, and beliefs. Testimonies from those who knew Rachel showed that she was accepting, inclusive, and loving. Rachel’s beliefs, as reflected in her own writings and testimonies of people who knew her, were centered on natural optimism.  This is a rarer sort of attitude, and the spread of it through Rachel’s Challenge has the potential to do amazing things, more than it already has. Optimism can be a difficult to find sometimes; Rachel’s compassion, and seeing the best in everyone is a magnificent message, especially for high schoolers.

The presenter at the event, a family friend of the Scotts, was a dynamic speaker. The entire assembly was very welcoming and engaging, and did great justice to Rachel’s story.

Rachel’s Challenge, no doubt, had an extremely powerful impression on all who saw it. The emotional impact of the cruel murder of Rachel drove the message deep. If the wet eyes of attending students were any indication, the presentation did not fall on deaf ears or closed minds. With effort, CHS will become another link in the chain of love and acceptance formed in the wake of the death of Rachel Joy Scott.

For more information on Rachel’s Challenge, check out their website.