BENTLEYVILLE - The Bentworth School District is the latest stop in a nationwide tour of a program designed to make people more kind and compassionate.
"Rachel's Challenge" will arrive at Bentworth on Wednesday with daytime presentations for the high school and middle school community and an evening program for the public.
Rachel's Challenge is an internationally recognized program named for Rachel Scott, the first student killed in the April 20, 1999, massacre at Columbine High School in Colorado.
Scott was a gifted student who believed strongly in kindness and compassion. She completed several diaries outlining her beliefs before she died.
"She was a very amazing girl," Bentworth Principal George Lammay said. "She had a feeling she would not live very long."
After Rachel's death, her parents wanted to carry on her spirit and belief in fellowship.
The family began to identify important aspects of her life and writings - which led to the creation of Rachel's Challenge.
"Anyone who attends this program will quickly discover that Rachel was a special person," Lammay said. "The program focuses on building a positive school climate by focusing on acts of kindness and compassion."
People who attend the programs will be encouraged to accept Rachel's Challenge of making a difference in their world by acting in kind and compassionate ways.
The presentations will be for middle and high school students in the morning and will be followed by training sessions for students in the afternoon to learn about the challenge.
In the evening, a similar presentation will take place at the school.
"These presentations are very powerful," Lammay said. "They are mixed with media accounts of what happened at the school and also with many of the writings from Rachel.
"We are glad to provide the evening session so that the public can get a chance to experience the program and take Rachel's Challenge."
The program is free.
Entertainers, politicians, sports celebrities, educators and even two...U.S. presidents have been affected by Rachel's Challenge. However, students comprise the target audience, and they have proven they will respond with positive words, attitudes, and actions, program officials said.
For information, visit www.rachelschallenge.com.
