VINEMONT — Vinemont Middle School and High School students received a powerful lesson of kindness and acceptance as they accepted Rachel’s Challenge on Wednesday morning.

Rachel’s Challenge is named after Rachel Joy Scott, who was the first victim in the Columbine school shooting in 1999. The nonprofit organization has spread a message of compassion to more than 24,000 schools and 24 million people around the world.

Larry Scott, Rachel’s uncle, visited the school to share Rachel’s story and challenge students to share her message.  

Scott had two of his children in Columbine High School on the day of the shooting, but they were able escape without injury. 

He said he was grateful that his own children were able to get out safely, but he has still spent much of his time since the shooting traveling to schools to spread a message of compassion. 

“I’m thankful my kids got out, but my niece Rachel did not,” he said. “I stand here in front of you today because of a lot of pain and a lot of tears.” 

Scott said Rachel touched many lives with her compassion and kindness, and showed videos featuring a few of her fellow students who were touched by Rachel’s warmth. 

Rachel always helped new students at school, and looked out for students with special needs or disabilities and people who were bullied by their peers, he said.

Scott urged Vinemont students to follow Rachel’s lead and not allow prejudice to affect the way they treat the people around them. 

“Look for the best in your classmates,” he said. “I promise it will make you a better person.” 

He also asked them to spread more kindness to the world, telling them take their eyes off themselves and build someone else up. 

“Wouldn’t the world be a better place if everyone complimented each other more?” he asked. “Yes it would.”

Scott gave the students five goals to strive toward: look for the best in others, record your journey, choose positive influences, speak with kindness and start your own chain reaction. 

As they left the assembly, all of the students were able to sign a banner signaling their pledge to spread Rachel’s message to their friends and family. 

All of these goals were presented using examples from Rachel’s life, including testimonials from her family and friends and her journal and essays that she wrote as a student. 

One of those essays, entitled “My Ethics, My Codes of Life,” exemplified the message that has been carried on by Rachel’s family. 

“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,” she wrote just six weeks before her death. “People will never know how far a little kindness can go.”

Tyler Hanes can be reached at 256-734-2131 ext. 138.