Will Barrington High School Accept Rachel's Challenge?

Students at the high school will be challenged on Wednesday, April 27, to spread acts of kindness in what is hoped will become a chain reaction.

Rachel’s Challenge, named for Rachel Scott, the first student killed in the Columbine High School tragedy 12 years ago, is coming to Barrington.

The nonprofit program, based on Rachel’s life and writings done in diaries that were discovered after her death, focuses on helping students accept a life that involves acts of kindness and compassion.

“We exist to inspire, equip and empower every person to create a permanent positive culture change in their school, business and community by starting a chain reaction of kindness and compassion,” says the mission statement on the Rachel’s Challenge website.

The program will be introduced at two assemblies: one at 9:45 am for juniors and seniors; one at 12:30 pm for freshmen and sophomores. The high school PTO is funding the program.

Joanne Royley, a student assistance counselor at the high school and the program coordinator, said Rachel’s Challenge focuses on making the lives of high school students the best they can be.

“There is always room for improvement” in their social and civic expectations, Royley said.

Barrington is a community where most of the students have grown up together so they have established friends and social groups, she said. As a result, the teens may not be as welcoming as they can be when new students arrive at the high school, which happens often.

“They need to be more accepting of diversity and economic differences,” Royley said.

Rachel’s Challenge uses “emotionally charged” video and audio footage, according to the website, that explains what happened at Columbine and why it took place while focusing on Rachel Scott and her hopes for all of mankind.

Each assembly is expected to last about an hour, Royley said. Because the content is described as very emotional, “counselors will be on duty to talk about it” with students after the assemblies.

The assemblies actually are just the first steps in, perhaps, changing the culture and climate of the high school. The next step will be a May 12 meeting of “facilitators” who are expected to start this chain reaction, said Royley.

Picked by advisors, the facilitators will include 100 students and 25 adults, including teachers, parents and other community representatives who will attempt to spread Rachel’s message.

Depending on the success, said Royley, “we hope to start a club in the high school the following year that is interested in working on social and civic expectations of students.”

The club might also involve a “buddy program” for new students to help them get acclimated to Barrington, Royley said.