“For us it started when Rachel Joy Scott was the first person killed in the Columbine High School shooting on April 20, 1999,” says rachelschallenge.org. “It” being Rachel’s Challenge, a non-profit organization that is all about, “making schools safer, more connected places where bullying and violence are replaced with kindness and respect; and where learning and teaching are awakened to their fullest.”

This organization, stated by their website, has “Over 1.5 million people,” who are taking part in the program. The website also reports that they have “reached” over “1,200 schools and businesses.” It states that places involved have had a decrease in “bullying and violence” and an increase of “community service and kindness.” These factors are definitely things that are beneficial for every place of learning and work.

According to Stillwater Schools, when Larry Scott, Rachel’s uncle, stopped by their middle school, kids were told Rachel’s story and informed about the drawing that was found by her parents after her death. Later, Rachel’s uncle proceeded to ask students to “identify one person in their life that they want to remind of their love and kindness.” He challenged the students to “reach out” to the said person in the next three days. Along with this, Larry Scott asked the students to “accept Rachel’s Challenge.” The challenge includes these five things, “1. Look for the best in others, 2. Dream big, 3. Choose positive influences, 4. Speak with kindness, 5. Start your own chain reaction.” This conversation led to a group of students talking about how to “spread kindness among their classmates” and the starting of the club “Friends of Rachel (F.O.R.) at their schools.” The effect of the challenge on that school seems immense, and hopefully made the schools’ atmospheres better for everyone.

Dr. Robert Marzano, whose profession focuses on education said this about the challenge, said this, “Rachel’s Challenge is the most powerful intervention I have seen in 40 years of working in education,” courtesy of rachelschallenge.org.

Now on to how this challenge will be brought to Battlefield High School. Mr. Ferrera, the principal at Battlefield, says that the program will be brought to Battlefield around the end of September. It will be transitioned through three assemblies. Two during the day for students, and one at night for parents to attend.  It was also mentioned that the S.A.C.L. students will be trained to help transition it better into the school.

Arrington Evans, a sophomore at Battlefield says, “Yeah I think it’s going to make the school better. I honestly think that there could be some more things added to [added to the transition and spreading of the challenge in the school] it though. Like spreading the challenge through social media.”

Candace Osei, another sophomore at Battlefield, says, “I think it will have a pretty positive impact on the school. I know some people could say that B.H.S. [Battlefield High School] doesn’t really have bullying/violence problems but they’re there and having a program in place could help it.”

Rachel’s Challenge has definitely seemed to have a positive effect on schools that have participated in the program, and Battlefield students seem to have a positive outlook on the subject. Hopefully with the challenge Battlefield’s school environment can be improved too. For a further understanding of the challenge, watch this video further explaining Rachel’s Challenge and its purpose:https://vimeo.com/33291369 via http://rachelschallenge.org.