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Cori Dulmage
Bennett
12th Lit/Comp
7 October 2011
Rachel’s Challenge
Have you ever thought about what one act of kindness can do? Well Rachel Scott did.
Her goal was not to blend in with her peers, but to stand out by starting a chain reaction of
kindness to everyone she knew. Rachel knew she would not live a long life, and when she was
shot at Columbine High School in 1999, her goals and dreams continued to live on. Instead of
her family mourning over the loss of their unique daughter, they decided to make Rachel’s
dreams come true. Rachel’s Challenge inspires people to be kind and compassionate to their
peers and watch how one act of kindness spreads. Rachel’s Challenge is inspirational,
motivational, and heart-touching to everyone who experiences it.
Rachel Scott was not an average teenage girl. Rachel’s dreams and goals were beyond the
thoughts of any teenager at Columbine High School. However, Rachel Scott’s future wasn’t how
she planned. On April 20, 1999, two students fired and killed Rachel Scott and eleven other
classmates (Rosenberg). The killing was not said to be racist or subjected to a certain religion;
the two boys just “hated the world” and wanted to do something that no one could have
understood (Rosenberg). Even though life might have ended that day for Rachel, the person she
continues to be told through her family and everyone else who is impacted through her story.
Rachel’s brother, Craig Scott, was affected dramatically by the Columbine shooting and did not
know how he was going to recover seeing his friends and classmates killed, let alone his own

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sister (Macho). Craig goes from school to school trying to prevent the mass killing that happened
at his school (Macho). “It is not easy for me to re-live this stuff”, states Craig, “but it is worth it”
(Macho). Rachel Scott was a girl who “was friends with everyone” according to her mother
(Tamburello). She stuck up for what was right and what she believed in (Tamburello). Rachel’s
death didn’t attract thousands of people because of what happened to her; it was because Rachel
Scott wasn’t labeled as “average”. She wasn’t just kind, but she made a difference and touched
so many lives, and continues to today (Tamburello).
“I have this theory that if one can go out of their way to show compassion, it will start a
chain reaction of the same” (Rachel’s Challenge Staff). Rachel Scott’s words and motives were
beyond any student at Columbine High. After her death, Rachel Scott’s belongings were taken a
look at, her journal in particular. The journal had been given to her parents to read for the first
time and even though they knew how special their daughter was, they were blown away by what
was written (Tamburello). Rachel wrote about her goal and drive to be a better person and her
devotion to God (Tamburello). She would often address her letters to God and tell Him that
“they didn’t even have to ask, they could see him through her” (Tamburello). She wrote about
her struggles and the normal day life of a teenager (Tamburello). On the last page of her journal
was something that really motivated her parents to start Rachel’s Challenge. It was a paper that
she had written, titled “My Ethics, My Codes of Life” (Scott). In this paper she wrote about what
was important to her, and what she admired most. Rachel talked about first impressions with
meeting new people and that one can “look hard enough and you will always find a light, you
can help it grow” (Scott). Rachel also stated in her essay that her ethics and codes might be
unrealistic for some, but if tried, then they might just “start chain reactions” (Scott). Rachel Scott

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wrote about “starting a chain reaction” a lot in her journals (Scott). She wanted to start that chain
of kindness and compassion to everyone around her (Tamburello).
Rachel Scott’s dream was not to just be nice to everyone around her; she wanted to start
that reaction to everybody (Rachel’s Challenge Staff). Her dreams and goals were very atypical
for most teens, but not to her. Rachel wanted nothing more than to be labeled as anything but
average, and she was not (“Columbine Victim Rachel…”). Instead of Rachel’s family mourning
of the loss of their one-of-a-kind daughter, they decided it was only fair to let Rachel’s dreams
come true. Rachel wanted to make this world a loving and kind place, and even though she is
unable to speak today, her words continue to spread.
The mission statement for Rachel’s Challenge states: “We exist to inspire, equip and
empower every person to create a permanent positive culture change in their school, business
and community by starting a chain reaction of kindness and compassion” (Rachel’s Challenge
Staff). Rachel’s Challenge travels to schools and businesses inspiring chain reactions of kindness
and compassion (Rachel’s Challenge Staff). A speaker stated in the middle of a presentation at a
high school that “those little acts of kindness change lives and save lives” (“10 Years After…”).
In her essay, Rachel stated, “People never know how far a little act of kindness can go,” and
that’s exactly what the staff of Rachel’s Challenge continues to share with their audiences. (“10
Years After…”). Rachel’s Challenge has different levels of presentation that they share with
middle schools, high schools, and businesses. In the middle school they focus on bullying and
stand up for what you know is right (Rachel’s Challenge Staff). For high school they focus on
what their purpose in life is (Rachel’s Challenge Staff). Rachel’s Challenge organization also
goes to business where it is concentrated on leadership and the importance of being a leader to

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everyone in the work place (Rachel’s Challenge Staff). The staff claims that businesses or school
will never be the same after being exposed to Rachel’s Challenge (Rachel’s Challenge Staff).
So many people have been impacted by Rachel’s challenge including entertainers,
politicians, sports celebrities, educators, and two Presidents of the United States (Rachel’s
Challenge Staff). With all of the attention from celebrities, Rachel’s Challenge continues to
target students (Rachel’s Challenge Staff). The stories of the lives impacted from this
organization are what keep this organization alive (Rachel’s Challenge Staff). The lives of
depressed and suicidal teens usually are affected the most by Rachel’s Challenge. The story of a
suicidal high school student is one of the most heart-touching stories told by speakers of
Rachel’s Challenge (Dulmage). The story is said that speakers came to her high school for a
three hour presentation on the day of her plan to take her own life (Dulmage). She had no idea
that in the little time they had to share the life and goals of Rachel Scott, this would completely
change her mind (Dulmage). She shared her story with the speaker that day and told him that she
had planned to take her life but thanks to the motivational and inspiring act to stop the bullying
and start the movement of kindness, she completely changed her mind (Dulmage). Rachel Scott
inspires everyone to be a better person and to really attempt to start the chain reaction of being
nice and kind to everyone around.
“One act of kindness can change a life” said Rachel Scott (Tamburello). Through all of
Rachel’s goals and desires, the aspiration to spread kindness was what really set Rachel Scott
apart from the rest. She wanted to spread kindness to all and hope for that chain reaction to start.
Rachel’s desire to spread kindness is still continuing today. “Those little acts of kindness change
lives and save lives,” Rachel’s Challenge speaker, Dave Gamache, states during a presentation at

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a high school. Rachel’s Challenge speakers’ goal is to show students what Rachel always wanted
to; the chain of kindness. Other speakers share experiences and thoughts of Rachel Scott, which
make the presentation even more real. One speaker in particular is Darrell Scott, Rachel’s father,
really knows how to turn a crowd around (Rachel’s Challenge Staff). Darrell talks about what
kind of person Rachel was and what she really wanted every high school student to understand
(Rachel’s Challenge Staff). Rachel Scott did not want anything back; she never asked for a
reward for the things she did, all she wanted was to see the difference a little kindness would
make in this world (Tamburello).
Rachel Joy Scott made an impact in this world (Rachel’s Challenge Staff). With her
desires to make a change, her goals to spread kindness, and the standard set for a true Hero
makes Rachel’s Challenge the inspiring and life-changing organization that it is today. Rachel’s
Challenge will continue traveling around the world, sharing the life of Rachel Scott and her goals
to make a difference in everyone’s lives. Rachel Scott continues to inspire and motivate
everyone to live every day like it is the last to be that person you want to be remembered as.
“Tomorrow is not a promise, but a chance” (Tamburello).

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Works Cited; Rachel’s Challenge
FindingDulcinea Staff. “Columbine Victim Rachel Scott Continues to Inspire.” Finding
Dulcinea. N.p., 20 Apr. 2010. Web. 5 Sept. 2011. <http://www.findingdulcinea.com///
//Victim-Rachel-Scott-Continues-to-Inspire.html>.
Finding Dulcinea Staff. “10 Years After Her Death, Rachel’s Challenge Lives On.” Finding
Dulcinea. N.p., 20 Apr. 2009. Web. 2 Sept. 2011. <http://www.findingdulcinea.com///
//Years-After-Her-Death--Rachel-s-Challenge-Lives-On.html>.
Macho, Sara. “Columbine survivor delivers message to stop school violence.” Clevland Live.
N.p., n.d. Web. 7 Sept. 2011. <http://www.cleveland.com//.ssf//
/_survivor_delivers_me.html>.
Rachels Challenge Staff. Rachels Challenge. N.p., n.d. Web. 7 Sept. 2011.
<http://www.rachelschallenge.org/>.
Scott, Rachel. “Rachel’s Essay.” King5. N.p., 17 Feb. 2011. Web. 7 Sept. 2011.
<http://www.king5.com//challenge/Essay-112825774.html>.
Tamburello, Michael, dir. “Rachels Legacy.” Rachel Joy Scott. N.p., n.d. Web. 7 Sept. 2011.
<http://www.racheljoyscott.com/.htm#>.
Rosenberg, Jennifer. "Columbine Massacre." About.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Sept.
2011. <http://history1900s.about.com/od/famouscrimesscandals/a/
columbine.htm>.
Dulmage, Tracy. Personal interview. 24 Aug. 2011.

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