Today is April 20th. Fourteen years ago today 2 students at Columbine took the lives of twelve students and one teacher in the largest school massacre in the United States. School safety changed that day in districts across the country.
I do not want to focus on the negative event that happened that day because that would give credit to the two young men that caused so much harm. Instead I want to use this opportunity to highlight the positive contribution that one of the survivors of the school shooting has done to make schools safer.
Craig Scott is a survivor of this horrific event. He was 16 years old when it happened. Ten years later in 2009 he visited Plymouth Public Schools. He presented a program called "Rachel's Challenge". His sister, Rachel, was the first one killed that April morning at Columbine High School. I was fortunate enough to meet this young man. He truly is an inspiration to me.
Below is from the Rachel's Challenge web site:
I know that with kindness and respect towards one another we can make a difference in the lives of others. To read more about Rachel's Challenge, visit the web site: http://www.rachelschallenge.org
Thanks for sharing about Rachel's Challenge. I do agree that one person's thoughtfulness toward another could make a big difference.
ReplyDeleteWow, you've chosen a powerful and emotive theme here in school safety. Every time one of these tragedies hits the news, it breaks my heart to think what kind of world my children are growing up into.
ReplyDeleteThe world today is rather bleak for kids, but one person can make all the difference.
ReplyDeleteInspirational what some people can do with a tragic loss.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing the word!
-Fellow A to Z-er
Taking tragedy and turning it into salvation. That is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI love when such beautiful things are found in tragedy. What an amazing boy, well man now I suppose! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteHave fun with a-z.
How beautiful. Some people can change tragic events into opportunities to shake the world.
ReplyDeletePowerful and inspiring post. Great to meet you.
ReplyDeleteYes, Rachel's challenge comes to our middle school here in CNY. What an incredibly moving presentation.
ReplyDeleteTerrific post! One person can make a difference. Think of all the people of Boston and in Texas after what has happened this past week. Each person who helped, who faced danger themselves to help others, are lessons for all of us.
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing post!! You have certainly succeeded in putting a positive spin on a horrific event.... hard to believe it has been 14 years! This is truly making lemonade out of lemons! Kudos to you.
ReplyDeletePatricia, Sugar & Spice & All Things ? Nice
Wow! This is awesome. I love your blog and your theme for this challenge. It's so prevalent in today's society, and its a huge problem!
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I love the spirit of this post. Compassion indeed triumphs over violence, every single time.
ReplyDeleteDamyanti @Daily(w)rite Co-host, A to Z Challenge 2013
Twitter: @AprilA2Z
#atozchallenge
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What a positive attitude
ReplyDeleteI lived in Denver when the Columbine shootings happened and they were horrific, not only for the children and their families and teachers but for the entire town. It made you realize how short and fleeting life is and how important it is to cherish each day that we have here on Earth. I enjoyed reading your blog from the A to Z challenge. Drop by mine if you have a minute at www.dianeweidenbenner or "In my own words" for the A to Z challenge.
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