Rachel's Challenge Teaches Rocky Point Students About Kindness

The uncle of Rachel Joy Scott, the first shooting victim in the Columbine massacre, inspired students and parents alike Thursday night with a presentation in the Rocky Point High School auditorium about the impact of his niece's kindness.

Part of Rachel’s Challenge, a non-profit organization that gives presentations at schools around the country, Larry Scott challenged the members of the audience to be kind to all those around them.

Starting a chain reaction of kindness was the last challenge issued by Scott, which culminated a list of five things that young Rachel stressed through writings found after her death in the school shootings.

“I challenged the parents to start the chain reaction in their home and for the kids to start that chain reaction with their parents and their friends and family,” Scott said.

The first four challenges included eliminating prejudice and looking for the best in others, dreaming to dream and writing out goals, choosing positive influences, and using kind words.

“I felt it impacted our students in a positive manner,” said Rocky Point Middle School Principal Scott O’Brien. “I look forward to seeing how the program will enhance our culture and also support our goals that we currently have for students to create a wonderful environment.”

Many of the parents in attendance came to see the presentation after hearing reviews from their children, who saw a similar program during the school day Thursday.

“I had read about it on the website and my daughter saw the presentation this afternoon," said Marie Berkoski. "She reminded me about it so I ran out because I really wanted to see it.”

Berkoski attended the presentation with her son Kyle, a 10th grader at Rocky Point High School.

“I think it’ll have at least a minor impact on a majority of the kids that see it because it is very powerful and is something that is very common - kids being picked on,” Kyle said. “(Rachel) worked very hard to fix that and spread kindness.”

Rocky Point resident Pearl Cabrera agreed with Scott's idea that shaping a child's character starts at home.

“This was a very special presentation," Cabrera said. "My wish was that there were many more ears to hear it. If kindness and compassion and good parenting would have started from the home, this beautiful little girl Rachel, would have been able to impact the world in many other ways. “

Cabrera said her 11-year old son Christian, who attended the evening presentation with her, is going to be a part of the challenge. Cabrera added she's looking forward to helping out.

Christian, who also saw a separate presentation during the day, noticed his classmates acting differently almost immediately afterward. “Walking back to the middle school I saw a lot of things that I didn’t expect to happen right after.”

Scott said he got a similar impression - that his message really hit home.

“The kids were greatly impacted by it today,” he said. “Rachel said it best when she said people will never know how far a little kindness can go.”