Rachel’s Challenge Starts a Chain Reaction at Central

A COMMITMENT TO KEEP -- Upon leaving the assembly, students signed this banner, signifying that they accepted Rachels Challenge.

Savannah Smith

A COMMITMENT TO KEEP — Upon leaving the assembly, students signed this banner, signifying that they accepted Rachel’s Challenge.

Central is experiencing a chain reaction that will never be forgotten. Students were sent to an assembly called Rachel’s Challenge on Tuesday, November 11. They learned about Rachel Joy Scott and her story that has impacted millions of kids’ lives. Rachel was the first victim to be shot at Columbine High School on April 20, 1999. Rachel was a very intelligent and kind student who put other people before herself.

“You never know how far a little kindness can go,” she was fond of saying.

The idea to start Rachel’s Challenge bloomed from these words. Rachel’s Challenge is a non-profit organization designed to help build a better environment in schools across the globe. In order to start a chain reaction, Central then started a club called the F.O.R. (Friends of Rachel) Club. Some specific members of the student body were nominated by their teachers to be the leaders of the F.O.R. Club. In the club training meeting, students began to collaborate and come up with ideas to help make the school a more welcoming environment.

“Some people just walk around school all day with a really bad attitude, and this just a good way for us to make the school a better and happier place. This just isn’t a school – it’s like a home, and we want it to be happy and welcoming,” stated Avionne Snakenberg, an original member of the F.O.R. Club.

“We have a lot of projects coming up, such as writing letters to workers at Central who need an encouragement, and other good deeds to help brighten the lives of people at Central,” another member of the F.O.R. Club, Joshua Sizemore, shared.

Overall, Rachel’s Challenge and the F.O.R. Club is having a huge impact on the whole atmosphere of Central High. Hopefully this overwhelming effect of students who want to make a difference in the world will continue to mold Central into a great place to learn and grow.