A sister's challenge; Brother of girl killed at Columbine High School speaks to students at Shepherd Hill.

Byline: Debbie LaPlaca

DUDLEY - At 17 years old, she dressed up for the prom, loved pizza and vintage clothes. She kept a journal that holds in perpetuity ideology since proven wise beyond her years. She was a senior at Columbine High School and the first to die at the hands of two fellow students on April 20, 1999.

Rachel Joy Scott's legacy lives in "Rachel's Challenge," a call for kindness and compassion heard by students in more than 3,300 schools in 50 states and six countries.

"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," Rachel wrote in a school essay a month before her death, titled, "My Ethics, My Codes of Life."

Rachel codified her ethics with her conduct. She was the student who reached out and befriended those being bullied or ostracized.

"Compassion is the greatest form of love humans have to offer. My definition of compassion is forgiving, loving, helping, leading and showing mercy for others," she wrote in the essay.

With each telling of Rachel's story, a chain reaction is forged.

Last week one of Rachel's four siblings, Craig X. Scott, visited Shepherd Hill Regional High School in Dudley to deliver her message to its 1,200 students.

"Sometimes you don't know the influence you have on other people with the ideals you hold onto," he said, adding, "She wanted to start a chain reaction but she didn't live to see the chain reaction she started."

The Littleton, Colo. tragedy is one of the deadliest school shootings in U.S. history. Two students with guns took the lives of 12 schoolmates and one teacher, before turning the guns on themselves. Twenty-seven were wounded. Rachel died of multiple gunshot wounds while eating lunch on the lawn outside the school entrance.

Craig, who was 16 at the time, was in the school library when two friends were among 10 killed by gunshots. Later, while leaving the school, he saw his sister too had been a victim.

"It was the worst day of my life," he said during the powerful and moving presentation.

The family later discovered that Rachel, at the age of 13, traced her hands on the back of her dresser and within the small frames she prophesied, "These hands belong to Rachel Joy Scott and will someday touch millions of people's hearts."

In the years following her death, Rachel's six dairies, inspired by the journals of Anne Frank, served as the foundation for a school curriculum and her father, Darrell, launched a program that delivers Rachel's Challenge to students everywhere.

Craig is now 26, lives in Denver and tours the country delivering Rachel's Challenge.

Craig issued and described five challenges to the students.

Choose Positive Influences. The killers, he said, immersed themselves in violent and negative stimuli before the attack.

Dare to Dream. "Take time in life to take the lid off your imagination and dream big."

Use Kind Words. "Little acts of kindness make a big difference."

Eliminate Prejudice. "Look for the best in others."

And lastly, Start a Chain Reaction.

"It's a powerful and dramatic message that all can benefit from. It's particularly poignant for students given the messages that bombard them daily," Superintendent of Schools Sean M. Gilrein said.

Rachel ended her essay with, "My codes may seem like a fantasy that can never be reached, but test them for yourself, and see the kind of effect they have in the lives of people around you. You just may start a chain reaction."

Eight Shepherd Hill students have forged the chain by volunteering to organize a new school club, Friends of Rachel, or FOR. One organizer, Grade 10 student Katie Racicot of Dudley, said of the presentation, "I think it really does change people. It will make a huge impact here and FOR will keep the message going."

In addition to two morning and one evening presentations at Shepherd Hill, last week Craig shared his and Rachel's story with students and community at Auburn and Grafton high schools.

Although the Dudley presentation was a success, it was marred by a bomb threat that school officials had to take seriously when they learned of it.

Ryan P. Ijams, 17, of 182 Center Depot Road, Charlton, was charged with making a bomb and hijacking threat and causing a school disturbance.

Mr. Ijams, a senior at the school, pleaded not guilty at Dudley District Court on Monday. A pretrial hearing is slated for Nov. 19. He was released on personal recognizance.

Police believe the threat was connected to the program.

"This threat was written in a location where it would be seen by many people, including students," the police report said. "It targeted a specific date when a program based upon an infamous school shooting was scheduled to be conducted. This event caused the activation of numerous emergency resources. Safety measures were taken and the situation caused alarm for many people. It caused disruption of the school's normal activities."

Superintendent Gilrein said, "It's unfortunate that this came at a time when the school and community were focused on a presentation that promotes kindness, caring and compassion."

However, he added, "If anything, it speaks to the message that we all need to reflect on our own behavior and truly challenge ourselves and continue Craig Scott's message."

ART: PHOTOS

PHOTOG: T&G Staff Photos/TOM RETTIG

CUTLINE: (1) Craig Scott describes his sister, Rachel Joy Scott, a victim of the Columbine High School shootings. (2) Shepherd Hill Regional High School students, from left, Allison Combs, Katie Racicot and Paige Moroz listen to Craig Scott's presentation. (3) Shepherd Hill Regional High School students have organized a new school club, Friends of Rachel, as a way of honoring the memory of Columbine High School shooting victim Rachel Joy Scott.