More than a thousand
Freeport High School students, in two assemblies
February 2, heard former Olympic champion weightlifter Shane Hamman
challenge them to follow precepts laid down in the diaries of Rachel
Scott, a 17 year old girl killed at Columbine in 1999, who left behind
a
legacy of good deeds and kindness to her fellow students that has been
turned into a campaign to effect "positive changes" in
middle
school and high school students throughout the nation.
Hamman, the national spokesperson for "Rachel's
Challenge," was invited to speak to the students by FHS social
worker Alicia Brenneis. The "Challenge" also featured Dana
Scott, Rachel's sister, who spoke at two assemblies at the J. W. Dodd
Middle School on
February 3, and who also addressed an assembly open to the entire
Freeport community the evening of February 3.
At both high school assemblies, and at the
Dodd assemblies, Hamman
and Dana Scott narrated a video presentation with photos and videos of
Rachel and her family and friends, recalling the acts of kindness that
she demonstrated, frequently defending students against bullies and
befriending newcomers to her school. |
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FHS Principal Kimberlee Pierre thanks Shane
Hamman for his
presentation. Alicia Brenneis (left), social worker at the high school,
coordinated the event. |
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The two speakers challenged
the students not to prejudge anyone"without giving them at least three chances." They also
urged them to resist "bad influences" such as violent films
and video games, and to perform acts of kindness to students less fortunate
than they are. In a dramatic part of his presentation, he asked members
of the audience to shut their eyes and "think of four or five people
who have helped make you what you are today. Then imagine what you would
feel if they were gone tomorrow." Hamman and Scott urged students
to"tell those people that you love them and care about them. It's
no big deal to you, but it will mean a lot to them."
After the presentations, students were encouraged
to sign banners reading "I
Accept Rachel's Challenge," demonstrating their desire to practice
acts of kindness that characterized Rachel's young life. |
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Shane Hamman, national spokesperson for the
Rachel's Challenge program,
talks with Freeport H.S. students after his presentation. |
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FHS students signed the "I Accept Rachel's
Challenge" banner after the
presentation, agreeing to follow principles of compassion and kindness
described in Rachel Scott's diaries and demonstrated during her
lifetime.
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After Dana Scott's talk, she led a discussion
with a group of 30 students and 10 teachers at Dodd who were being trained
to follow Rachel's lead and encourage other students and teachers to
participate in the "chain reaction" of compassion which Rachel
had predicted would follow.
Dana Scott, Rachel's sister, talks to a group
of students
and teachers
about implementing a
"Rachel's Challenge" program at Dodd.
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