By Joyce DeWallace, Contributing Writer
Marlborough – “Treat others with compassion, kindness and respect.” That's the message presented to Assabet Valley Technical High School (AVRTHS) students by Jimmy (JB) Braden, a motivational speaker with Rachel's Challenge.
Braden is one of 35 presenters who travel throughout the country sharing the story of 17-year-old Rachel Joy Scott, the first student murdered at the Columbine High School massacre in 1999 and whose personal writings about kindness and tolerance started a nationwide outreach movement.
“I remember being their age and how confusing and challenging it is. Teenagers can be so cruel to each other. Many kids dread going to school and have a fear of being bullied and picked on,” Braden said. “My job is to show that school can be a safe haven and how students can keep on doing things to change [their] school.”
The daylong program included presentations by both Rachel's Challenge and Rachel's Legacy representatives followed by a separate interactive session that explained how to make sure that the programs have a positive impact on the whole school community.
Rachel's Challenge has the following objectives for schools: “Create a safe learning environment for all students by re-establishing civility and delivering proactive antidotes to school violence and bullying. Improve academic achievement by engaging students’ hearts, heads and hands in the learning process. Provide students with social/emotional education that is both colorblind and culturally relevant. Train adults to inspire, equip and empower students to affect permanent positive change.”
The powerful presentation combined music, film footage from the day of the shootings with video testimonials from other students, teachers and parents explaining how Rachel's Challenge has helped to change attitudes and even save lives. The emphasis is on preventing school bullying and teen suicide. The message came from a series of diaries that Scott kept and an essay assignment she had penned titled, “My Ethics, My Code of Life.”
She wrote about wanting to create, “a chain reaction of kindness and compassion. People will never know how far a little act of kindness can go.”
Young as she was, she felt strongly that she was going to have an impact on the world.
Tears streaked many faces as the audience witnessed the horror of the massacre that killed 12 students and one teacher, and injured 27 others. When the rampage ended, the two students responsible shot themselves, leaving a devastated Colorado community and a shocked nation.
Scott's message gives five challenges that can change a community by changing individual lives. Braden explained that actions can make a difference.
“Look for the best in others, and you can eliminate prejudice in your life. Dream big, write out your goals, and keep a journal. Speak with kindness and always be aware that words can hurt or heal. Choose positive influences. Perform small acts of kindness every day.”
He emphasized that following these principles can start a chain reaction.
This is the second year that ARTHS has participated in Rachel's Challenge. Director of Pupil Personnel Services Alyssia Berghaus is enthusiastic about the countrywide initiative that addresses antiviolence.
“This is the first time that I saw a program that really reached the students, and now they really get it,” she explained. “Last year we used other activities throughout the year to follow up. We had a “mix-it-up” day at lunch where the students picked numbers and sat at different tables with new people. It was awkward at first, but resulted in new friendships.”
Public Relations Coordinator Cindy Zomar is another supporter of the program.
“The initial Rachel's Challenge program here last year was very moving, and we are happy to be able to follow through with this,” Zomar said. “We saw changes in the school after the program.”
The students were able to sign an 8″ by 4″ banner that said, “I accept Rachel's Legacy.” The completed banner showing two intertwined hands and all the student signatures will hang in the cafeteria to remind the students of their commitment to a kinder environment.
