Published: May 04, 2008 10:22 pm         

Rachel’s Rally set for May 8

By Adi Bryant

Special to the Herald-Banner



A year of planning and preparation will come together at Rachel’s Rally on May 8. The event represents the Rockwall Independent School District’s commitment to the Rachel’s Challenge organization in an effort to extend the legacy of Rachel Scott.

Scott was the first student killed in the Columbine School shooting in 1999, but her kindness and compassion towards others still impacts the lives of others today through school assembly programs and student organizations.

Rachel’s Rally is a community-wide event that will host several Rachel’s Challenge organization founders including Rachel’s father, Darrell Scott. Throughout the year, each elementary school has formed a “chain of kindness” made of paper links that represent individual acts of kindness and compassion. The Rally will unite each chain, and celebrate over 123,000 individual acts of kindness of students, staff and administration.

Under the coordination of Nancy Boyd, RISD director of guidance and counseling, the Rachel’s Challenge program has become a permanent influence for the district.

The introduction of Rachel’s Challenge at the elementary level was the first program of its kind in the nation.

“The students have shown tremendous creativity in promoting the ideals of Rachel’s Challenge,” said Nancy Boyd. “Each individual act of kindness has changed the atmosphere in our schools and even trickled into the homes of the students.

“Our mission is to make our schools a kind place that fosters creativity and academics.”

The entire community is encouraged and welcome to attend the Rachel’s Rally on May 8 at 7 p.m. at Wilkerson-Sanders Memorial Stadium.

In the words of RISD Superintendent Gene Burton, “These are not random acts of kindness, these are intentional decisions to act with kindness and compassion.”