An Everlasting Impact
When it came to impact, Rachel Joy Scott made an everlasting impression during her short time here on Earth. “I am not Ashamed”, a movie based on Scott and her foundation, gives more insight on her selfless life.
Scott’s anti-bullying foundation named after her, Rachel’s Challenge, has been shared through schools across America including Madison County. Last year students in the Sparkman cluster were given the opportunity to learn more about Rachel and her challenge.
After her life was taken in the Columbine shooting on April 20, 1999, Rachel’s family created the foundation in remembrance of the five things she lived by; 1. Look for the best in others 2. Dream Big 3. Choose Positive Influences 4. Speak with Kindness and 5. Start a chain reaction. These ideas were created based off the missions Rachel wrote about in an essay shortly before her death. In the essay Rachel 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. People will never know how far a little kindness can go.”
Rachel was one to always stand up for the weak link and to always be kind to everyone she ever met. Through the Rachel’s Challenge program one learns how many people she touched and how the program continues to change people’s lives today. Their mission is to make schools safer, more connected places where bullying and violence are replaced with kindness and respect; and where learning and teaching are awakened to their fullest.
Throughout the several years of the program over 1.5 million people are involved in Rachel’s Challenge, 22 million people have been touched, more than 1,200 schools and businesses are reached, bullying and violence has decreased in the schools and community service and acts of kindness have increased in the communities.
“I am not Ashamed” gives a more “real” take on Rachel’s life. Watching Rachel fight against peer pressure showed the good but most importantly what Rachel had to overcome to be the person she died being. It opens your eyes in the fact that you can change whenever you chose. It allows you to see you don’t have to be perfect to make a difference in someone’s life.
“I am not Ashamed” is a great motion picture to go see if you need a night out. It honestly changes the way you see things for the better and is definitely an eye opener when it comes to treating people the way you want to be treated. You will truly discover how far a little kindness can go.