NORTH BRUNSWICK — Rachel Scott was the first casualty of the Columbine High School massacre in April 1999.
She was the victim of two teenage boys who felt mistreated and ostracized, who woke up that morning intending to hurt others.
After she passed away, her family found her journals, which were filled with positivity and the desire to make a difference in the world.
“Rachel’s Challenge” will be presented during two daytime assemblies on Oct. 24 for Linwood Middle School students, and then at a community-wide event at 7 p.m. at North Brunswick Township High School on Raider Road.
A member of Rachel’s family, who has not been confirmed yet, will give a multimedia presentation about her life and her message, and offer five challenges to attendees to change the world in ways Rachel had hoped to.
“Her story was a steadfast belief that she would impact others and the people she impacted would impact others,” Principal Brian Brotschul said.
“Rachel’s Challenge gives us, as a school, as a town, as educators and as parents, the opportunity to look at the events of the world through a different lens and allows us to take a deep, personal look at ourselves and become better people and serve each other in the best way possible,” he said. “This program is not as much about a tragedy as it is about a rebirth. It’s very little about guns and violence; it has a lot to do with rediscovering who you are.”
Brotschul said in just one hour lives will change. Because of this, there will be a debriefing session for students on Oct. 24 so that each of the 1,400 students can share their own interpretations of the day, in hopes of creating 1,400 positive chain reactions at the school, at home and in the community.
“We will confront the way we look at the world… the way we raise children, how we approach work, what kind of spouse you are, what kind of neighbor you are … with the intent of becoming better people in this society,” Brotschul said.
The Linwood Parent Teacher Student Organization will sponsor the event, which coincides with the Week of Respect and School Violence Awareness Week in October.
“The PTSO believes this can definitely be a benefit to our community,” said PTSO President Laura Pelszynski. “People don’t try to not be nice. This, I believe, will be an eye-opener and a reminder of what we can do to be compassionate to people.”
“Rachel’s Challenge” is open to the entire community at night. The goal is to have 1,000 residents attend.
There is no admission fee, but each attendee is encouraged to bring two nonperishable food items to donate to the North Brunswick Food Bank.
For more information on joining the PTSO or making a donation, email [email protected].