Community Invited to "Rachel's Challenge"

The entire District 204 community is invited to attend "Rachel's Challenge" on Monday, November 14 from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm at Still Middle School, 787 Meadowridge Drive, Aurora. This educational program has gained widespread national notoriety, as well as praise from educators and parents alike, on the strength of its message: kindness, compassion and positive chain reactions. The program is named in honor of Rachel Scott, a junior at Columbine High School in Columbine, Colo., who was the first of 15 students killed in the school's tragic 1999 shooting massacre. She was 17.

Started in 2000 by Rachel's father, Darrell Scott, Rachel's Challenge is an anti-violence, anti-bullying program that strives to spread kindness instead of physicality and understanding in lieu of intimidation. The program was founded on the basis of Rachel Scott's enduring positive outlook throughout her brief life, as well as the many diary entries she left behind.

The program hopes to encourage students and parents to adopt Rachel's Five Challenges as everyday facets of their lives. Rachel's five challenges include eliminating prejudice, setting goals and following dreams, choosing one's own influences, offering small acts of kindness every day, and finally, starting a chain reaction of such positive ideals with family and friends.

For more information, visit www.rachelschallenge.com.