Accept Rachel's Challenge

Earlier this evening, I had the opportunity to attend an event at my former high school called, "Rachel's Challenge," and what a blessing it was!

Rachel Scott was the first student killed on April 20, 1999 at Columbine High School. Throughout her life, Rachel thought to herself and told others that she knew she was going to die early by homicide. This made her feel close to Anne Frank, whom she viewed as a hero (ironically, she was killed on Adolf's birthday). She filled her life with positive things and continued to be a friend to everyone.

At this presentation, several of her writings were shown, including an essay, journal entries, and doodles on her notebook. After her funeral was televised on CNN (its most watched event ever - at least at the time), a man from across the country called her father and told him about a dream he had been having for awhile. In this dream, the man saw a weeping woman, her tears falling to the ground. When her tears touched the ground, a glorious Columbine flower (Colorado's state flower) shot up. Rachel's father thought the man was crazy until he found her sixth diary (which was in her backpack when she was shot and had been held in police evidence for weeks). Although every entry of her's had been in writing, her (very last) entry on April 20, 1999 was a picture: two eyes in the top left corner and tears falling to the ground, a glorious Columbine flower shooting up. Rachel's father was stunned and lost his breath. Upon further examination, he discovered that there were thirteen empty tear drops located above the flower; at and below the top of the flower the tears were filled in to resemble bloood. Thirteen people were killed at Columbine High School that day.

After her funeral, her father started an organization called Rachel's Challenge. This organization is based on five challenges Rachel described in her diary.

Rachel always knew that she was destined for greatness. In her earlier years, she pulled back her dresser in her bedroom, traced her hands on it, and wrote the following message to the world: "These hands belong to Rachel Joy Scott and will someday touch millions of people's hearts." She has touched mine.

Furthermore, she had always said when she was younger that she would someday be a famous actress. That is about to come to fruition; her father has signed a deal with a Hollywood studio to bring her story to life. This movie will further her message and truly change the world!

To close, I will share my favorite quote of her's that was found doodled on one of her notebooks:

"I WILL NOT BE LABELED AS AVERAGE!"

What a great example for us to follow. If you do nothing else, dare to dream. Just like Rachel did.