(#0533 RIVERHEAD, New York, March 1, 2006) Rachel Scott was one of the 12 students killed at Columbine High School on April 20, 1999. Her acts of kindness and compassion coupled with the contents of her 6 diaries have become the foundation for one of the most life-changing school programs in America.

In mid-February Dana Scott, an older sister of Rachel Scott, spoke to the the students at Riverhead High School throughout the day in assemblies and to the Riverhead community at an evening program. She told her sister's story through the use of her diary entries, television news footage of the event, personal video/audio testimonials of her family and friends and those who had experienced her random acts of kindness or were moved by her story.

This intimate and moving presentation by someone who loved her and lost her brought many of those who attended to tears, but the CHALLENGE that Rachel's sister gave her young audience was designed to empower, inspire and challenge the students to bring positive changes to their own lives and in turn to the atmosphere in their school and their community.

The presentation during the day was followed by a 45 minute training session involving both adult and student leaders. These interactive sessions showed the students how to sustain the momentum created by the assembly in their school. Members of the student government helped coordinate the program and like many of their fellow students were very moved by the presentation.

"It was very moving because it was so real and so easy to put yourself in that situation," shared senior Erin Galligan.

Part of the challenge Dana Scott left was an opportunity for students to sign a banner accepting Rachel's Challenge to "start a chain reaction" of kindness and to act on the desire to make a positive change in their school's atmosphere. Hundreds of kids stopped to sign up for that challenge. One, Croix Romano, attached a message on a piece of paper.

"I would like to start off saying thank you for coming to Riverhead High School and for giving your speech to me and for everyone that went to the assembly today. It must be so hard to get up in front of everyone and give your speech about your sister after 6 years have passed." Croix wrote that he, too, had lost a loved one and like Rachel's brother, Craig, who survived Columbine, "experienced the pain and anger" that can follow an event like that, but Croix continued that he also learned the lesson that Rachel's brother, Craig, had to learn. "I had so much Pain Inside of me," he wrote, "but over time I overcame all my Pain, Anger and Hate" and learned to "love again". He wrote that he shared Rachel's challenge to help others in some way every day.

This program is just one of several efforts throughout the year coordinated by Theresa Drozd, the District's School Violence Prevention Coordinator. Other recent events have included Gang Awareness Workshops, an expanded Council for Unity Program, violence prevention programs in the elementary schools, and many, many opportunities for students to reach out in community service events.

One of the people, who attended the first evening event was Riverhead Middle School Principal Andrea Pekar. She was so moved by Dana Scott's presentation that she wanted her students at the Middle School to have this same opportunity to hear Rachel's story and to take Rachel's Challenge. This opportunity will be extended on Friday, March 3, throughout the day at RMS. It is also offered once again free of charge to the community on Friday, March 3, at 7:00 P.M. in the Middle School Cafeteria where a friend of Rachel's family, Scott Dodge, will share this powerful message. For more information call 369-6757.

To take Rachel's Challenge, Click HERE.