Perry County Schools Hosts "Rachel's Challenge"

Over twelve years ago, the worst school tragedy took place in Littleton, Colorado. On April 20, 1999, Rachel Scott was the first person killed at Columbine High School. 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 called, "Rachel's Challenge."

On Monday, November 7, students in grades K-12 at Perry County School District No. 32 will have the opportunity to hear about Rachel's Challenge during a school assembly program. According to Middle School Counselor Glenda Gremaud, the program can be life-changing for the students. "We hope that this program will motivate students to have the desire for positive change in the way they treat others," said Gremaud. "This is followed by a separate interactive 90-minute training session involving both adult and student leaders that shows how to sustain the momentum created by the assembly. "The assembly creates the want to or desire for positive change," said Gremaud. "The training session teaches the how to and ensures that the positive impact will continue."

That evening, beginning at 6:30 p.m. in the Middle School Multi-Purpose Building, the Rachel's Challenge speaker will conduct a powerful session with parents and community leaders. "This session is open to all parents and community members and is similar to the assembly program," said Gremaud. "It ends with a specific challenge to parents and community leaders, showing them how they can reinforce the decisions their youth are making. Entertainers, politicians, sports celebrities, educators, and even two Presidents of the United States have been impacted by Rachel's Challenge. However, students are the target audience and they have proven that they will respond with positive words, attitudes, and actions. We hope that our school will never be the same after being exposed to Rachel's Challenge!"