Rachel Joy Scott had a dream to affect millions of people in her life. She wanted to start a chain reaction of kindness.

Scott, a Columbine High School junior, was killed on April 20, 1999, in the shootings while she was outside eating lunch. She left behind a legacy through her journals.

In one of her journals, Scott wrote, “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.”

On Tuesday March 9, Rachel’s older sister, Dana Scott, came to start a chain reaction at Oswego High School. Scott and her family have spent the past four years traveling across the country to share her sister’s story.

“When this door of opportunity opened, my family wanted to embrace it”, said Scott. “We want to help create links in the chain reaction.”

Scott first caught the attention of the crowd by showing a video of news footage from the Columbine shootings. Then she went on to tell her sister’s story.

“I felt like I was going to cry just watching the clips,” said senior Kelly Wolff. “I remember seeing it on the news like it just happened.”

According to Scott, Rachel poured her heart out in her diary. Anne Frank was her inspiration and there are a lot of parallels in the two diaries.

They both will have an impact that plays a role in generations to come.

Rachel believed that there is “good in all people.” In an essay for class, she wrote, “You never know how far a little kindness can go.”

With a strong message left behind, Rachel was posthumously awarded the Acts of Kindness Association 2001 National Kindness Award for Student of the Year.

President Bush sent a letter commending Rachel’s Challenge for their efforts in carrying on Rachel’s message.

Rachel’s dreams showed through in her personality. “She was always smiling and energetic,” said Dana. “It’s almost like you could get annoyed with her excessive happiness,” she joked.

Towards the close of the presentation, Scott told the students to carry on Rachel’s Challenge.

She wanted the students to try and “do something you feel in your heart.”

She ended the presentation with a song by Jewel, “Hands”, as slides of Rachel’s life were shown.

“I hope that it made a difference,” Dana said after the presentation. “I want Rachel’s words to start a chain reaction.”

Many students were quiet as they slowly walked out of the assembly. Others were discussing Rachel’s message and how it has changed their views on life.

“It helped me understand the importance of life,” said senior Brittany Westphal. “I feel inspired be kind and look for good in all people.”

After the assembly, Scott taught a one hour leadership training for a small group of students in the learning center.

She gave students a packet and challenged them to think of ways they could carry on Rachel’s Challenge in their school.

“I learned a lot from Rachel’s words,” said senior Michele Kremer. “I think that it will have a visible affect in our school.”

Scott leaves behind a test for the students at Oswego High School to carry on Rachel’s legacy.

For more information about Rachel’s Challenge, interested persons may go to www. RachelsChallenge.com.