“You Just May Start a Chain Reaction”

Dear Parents/Guardians,

On Wednesday, September 26^th Prairie High School will welcome Rachel's Challenge Year II.

This is a unique and very special day that is the “kick off” assembly for the 2007-2008 school year. Rachel's Challenge is a school assembly and training program that was fashioned out of the Columbine High School tragedy in 1999.

, ,

Rachel Scott was a remarkable young lady who believed her life would have an impact on the world. Rachel was the first person killed at Columbine High School on April 20, 1999. Her acts of kindness, and compassion, coupled with the contents of her six diaries, have become the foundation for one of the most life-changing school programs in America and the world.

This event will be presented by Hannah Nelson, who leads the students through Rachel's life leading up to that tragic day on April 20, 1999. The writings she wrote and the pictures she drew prior to her death predicted that she would one day touch the lives of millions of people everywhere. Her message of kindness and compassion is the foundation for her challenge to all of us. She strongly believed that one person can start a chain reaction that other people will continue until it becomes a habit for us all.

Rachel's Challenge will occur during the day for the students, but all of us, and in fact, our entire community, is invited to the evening community event September 26, at 7:00 p.m. in the PHS main gym to hear Rachel's message and take her challenge, too. All students are welcome back in the evening as well. I personally experienced this assembly last school year as did all of our current 10^th – 12^th graders, and it moved me and our student body like no other assembly has before.

Rachel's Challenge is presented to over 1,000 high schools each year, and after seeing it for myself, I could easily understand its popularity. Seeing the impact it had on our school we decided to bring part II to our 10^th – 12^th graders and part I to our 9^th graders as well as the 8^th graders of Pleasant Valley and Laurin as space allows. I encourage you to visit Rachel Scott's website at www.rachelschallenge.com and scroll down to "Watch this Video" to see first-hand how much of an impact this event is going to have on our students, you and our entire community. Rachel's message is one that we all need to hear and take with us and share with everyone that we meet. We just may start a chain reaction.

If you have any questions about this event, or would like some more information, please email me at swart.dora@bgsd.k12.wa.us.

Thank you!

Dora Swart

Assistant Principal Prairie