A Chain Reaction of Kindness and Compassion...
Rachel Scott was the first student kill in the Columbine Shooting on April 20, 1999. Her acts of kindness and compassion combined with 6 of her journals are the foundation for one of the most life changing school programs in America.
This program known as Rachel's Challenge is a miracle that occurred out of such a tragic event. Or in #11's case the K.C. Club (K.C. for kindness and compassion). She has been elected by her student peers for the past two years as the class representative. And this, her third year was no different. She wrote her speech, gave it, was given a round of applause, and won the vote. She takes this election of leadership to heart and considers it an opportunity to be the best person she can be.
She was worried this year about running. Last year she was bombarded by the typical 5th grade "mean girl" syndrome. And felt she should or could not retaliate in her position. She wanted to be able to have the freedom to act out against those girls. But we talked about it. The assistant Principal gave her a bit of advice before school started to learn to "agree to disagree". She has asked me how to do that. I gave her an example or two, and we talked about it some more. But here is her speech. These are her words, not mine. I could not be any prouder.
This program known as Rachel's Challenge is a miracle that occurred out of such a tragic event. Or in #11's case the K.C. Club (K.C. for kindness and compassion). She has been elected by her student peers for the past two years as the class representative. And this, her third year was no different. She wrote her speech, gave it, was given a round of applause, and won the vote. She takes this election of leadership to heart and considers it an opportunity to be the best person she can be.
She was worried this year about running. Last year she was bombarded by the typical 5th grade "mean girl" syndrome. And felt she should or could not retaliate in her position. She wanted to be able to have the freedom to act out against those girls. But we talked about it. The assistant Principal gave her a bit of advice before school started to learn to "agree to disagree". She has asked me how to do that. I gave her an example or two, and we talked about it some more. But here is her speech. These are her words, not mine. I could not be any prouder.
K.C. Club 2010, by #11
In a world with so many arguments, a word from the wise, an eye for an eye makes the whole world blind. Though you and I might not see the same picture, you see the apple and I see the tree. We are all equal. One effects the other. The same rule applies to everything. The girl who just simply let the new student sit next to her on the bus has changed that furrowed brow to an ear to ear grin. Just by doing simple things as smiling at someone in the hall, just changed that F- minus attitude to and A+ behavior. Though you might disagree with someone do not turn it into war, instead make a treaty. Agree to disagree, maybe not entirely, just on the subject. If you talk about something else, you could have just made your best friend in the world. If you hold a grudge, you have made your worst enemy. So try to see a different perspective. Make the CHAIN REACTION.
*note to self - ask Michelle House to forgive me for the biggest argument during the summer after 4th or 5th grade. She wanted to watch General Hospital, I was a Day's of Our Lives fan. I told her to go home and watch her own show on her own TV, in not such a nice way. I don't think we were ever friends after that. Just throwin that out into the universe today.
*and on a TBI note-it is still is amazing to me that the memories from over 30 years ago are as fresh as if they had happened 2 hours ago. But I could not tell you what I ate for breakfast. (but now that I am using a food journal I know!)
*note to self - ask Michelle House to forgive me for the biggest argument during the summer after 4th or 5th grade. She wanted to watch General Hospital, I was a Day's of Our Lives fan. I told her to go home and watch her own show on her own TV, in not such a nice way. I don't think we were ever friends after that. Just throwin that out into the universe today.
*and on a TBI note-it is still is amazing to me that the memories from over 30 years ago are as fresh as if they had happened 2 hours ago. But I could not tell you what I ate for breakfast. (but now that I am using a food journal I know!)
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