Current Connection 2.1

Recently Batesville High School held an assembly in response to the problem all schools encounter "Bullying." A mission group entitled "Rachel's Challenge" hosted the assembly, telling the tale of a girl with a vision, a girl who never had the chance to see that vision fulfilled. Rachel Joy Scott was the first student to be murdered in the Columbine High Shooting. Thought her death and all those who died in the shooting were tragic, they sparked a chain reaction that could leave a positive echo on future generations.

All Rachel wanted was change. This inspiring soul felt that kindness has the same ripple effect as negativity. In an essay, she wrote “I have this theory that if one person can go out of their way to show compassion, then it will start a chain reaction of the same. People will never know how far a little kindness can go.” Rachel, a girl with beautiful intrinsic qualities, a firm believer in the good that everyone is capable, saw that people can accomplish great acts of compassion; furthermore, how these acts of compassion influenced others. Determined to enlighten the world she demonstrated her theory by living by it. In believing in the possibilities that the power of many could do the impossible, she paved a path to a new future.

With her hammer of a heart Rachel cracks away the stone that encases the hearts of so many. Found in one of Rachel's personal journals was a quote, Rachel's personal anthem, "I will not be labeled as average." An inspirational message, calling to the protector in all of us, compels us to step out of the shadows and stand firm for what's right. To not "be labeled as average" means becoming the best version of yourself because, we are all extraordinary, we just let external factors dim the light of our compassion.

Everyone should aspire to be like Rachel, finding herself and discovering the light in others, to step up and find yourself and begin changing the world. In Rachel's essay, she wrote a quote that applies to all, "I admire those who trust and are trustworthy." Don't you respect people who are trustworthy? Think of a person that you trust and how important that person is to you. People need to trust and become trustworthy in order to feel like they have a reason to be compassionate. Being a trustworthy person is respectable no matter who you are. When you finally dicide to be your true self, people will notice and emulate your actions.

Rachel Joy Scott, facing her own demons, was a leader. Her story is going to change the lives of the students of Batesville High School, for she has changed mine. We all have the tools to build a better future, we just didn't know what they were or how to use them. Rachel has brought them to our attention and written a manual. By living by Rachel's theory of compassion we can change the world.

The world is ready for this change and needs it desperately. Rachel was the first domino, the chain reaction has begun.

                                                  

Work Cited

"Rachel's Challenge Mission." Mission. N.p., n.d. Web. 06 Nov. 2013.
      <http://www.rachelschallenge.org/big-picture/about-rachels-
      challenge/mission/>.