On April 20, 1999, the worst high school shooting in American history took place in less than one hour. Twelve students and one teacher killed. Twenty-four injured.

The massacre at Columbine High School will always be a reminder of the consequences of bullying and negative influences. Monday morning, Sidney schools students had a chance to make a difference by choosing to take part in Rachel’s Challenge, an outreach program dedicated to preventing teenage violence through kindness.

In presenting the program, Mike Hills told the story of the shooting. Two students opened fired on their fellow classmates in the school’s cafeteria and library after anger and bitterness had built up. And on that morning, Rachel Joy Scott, 17, sat outside eating lunch with a friend. Shot four times, she was the first one killed. Shortly before her death, Scott wrote an essay titled “My Ethics, My Codes of Life,” in which she spoke about a chain reaction of kindness: “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.” In her essay, she challenged others to try it out. “My codes may seem like a fantasy that can never be reached,” she wrote, “but test them for yourself, and see the kind of effect they have in the lives of people around you.”

Students were given five challenges as part of Rachel’s Challenge. First is eliminate prejudice, to stop prejudging people. “If you look for the best in others, you will eliminate prejudice,” Hills said during the Sidney Middle School presentation. He challenged the students to do what Scott believed: see others through their hearts, not the way they look or act because one never knows what they may be going through.

Second challenge: Dare to dream. Hills encouraged them to “take the lid off your dreams,” write down goals and keep a journal. Rachel herself left behind six journals that gave insight into who she was.

Third challenge: Choosing one’s influences. What one listens to, reads or watches effects who they become. The Columbine shooters were influenced by Adolph Hilter, played violent video games and listened to violent music. Coincidentally, the day of the shooting was on Hilter’s birthday. On the other hand, one of Scott’s greatest influences was Anne Frank, a girl killed because of prejudice. The two have strikingly similar characteristics. Both emphasized kindness and making a difference in the world. And each believed they would be famous some day.

Fourth challenge: Kind words and actions. “Sometimes all it takes is a little extra kindness, a kind word to make all the difference in the life of a person,” Hills said. Several stories were shared from Scott’s friends and fellow students who were positively effected by her. “We have such power in our words and actions,” Hills said. Carrying a peer’s books, emptying the trash at home or helping a sibling with homework were a few suggestions.

Fifth challenge: Start a chain reaction. Students were challenged to go to their family and friends in the next three days and tell them how much they love them. Hills asked the students to raise their hands if they would take this challenge. Virtually all the hands were raised.

At the conclusion of the assembly, Hills invited the students to sign a banner to be hung at the middle school declaring the school’s acceptance of Rachel’s Challenge. Those who wanted to take the pledge signed it. A long line of students formed to take the pledge.

Hills, a three-year speaker, said he’s seen change in students and had already seen it following the presentation. He encouraged the students to visit www.rachelschallenge.org to learn more about Scott and to write their own story. Last year, more than 300 students wrote to the website, saying they wouldn’t commit suicide because of Scott.

“It’s all about a lasting impression,” Hills said.

reporter@sidneyherald.com