Delaware Tech students stand together to take Rachel’s Challenge

By Seth Shockley

Rachel’s Challenge recently paid a visit to Delaware Technical Community College, Owens Campus as part of their campaign of challenging students of all ages to be all that they can be.

Rachel’s Challenge is a non-profit organization that is dedicated to creating safe, connected school environments, according to the organization’s website.

The organization takes their name and mission from Rachel Scott, who was the first victim of the 1999 Columbine tragedy. The challenge itself is based on journal writings that were completed by Rachel before her death but were not found until afterward.

There have been many celebrity supporters of Rachel’s Challenge. Some of these celebrities include former president George W. Bush, Major League Baseball Hall of Fame member Cal Ripken Jr., actor Chuck Norris, and more.

The organization has speakers who travel across the country delivering the messages to students. The speaker at Delaware Tech was Jimmy “J.B” Braden. Braden has been a Rachel’s challenge presenter for six years and is very supportive of the program.

“The presentation is not about how Rachel died,” Braden said. “But how she lived.”

Braden also said that the goal for Rachel’s challenge is to create “a chain reaction of kindness.”

Rachel’s Challenge is made up of five smaller challenges presented to the audience by Braden.

Look for the best in others:

Dream big

Choose positive influences

Speak with kindness

Start your own chain reaction

Braden also had one final bit of advice.

“Don’t let anyone label you as average,” Braden said. “You’re more than that.”

Aevidum Club, one of the Rachel’s Challenge co-sponsors, promotes awareness for mental health, depression, and suicide.

Michele Warch is a Human Services Instructor at Delaware Tech and is a co-advisor for Aevidum. She also attended the event.

“This is our first time with Rachel’s Challenge,” Warch said. “Rachel’s Challenge is a part of our anti-bullying campaign.”

Warch echoed many others’ thoughts when asked about the event.

“It was fabulous,” Warch said.

Nursing student Joy Mills was also in attendance. Mills was vocal about her thoughts of Rachel’s Challenge.

“I thought it was definitely an eye opener,” Mills said. “After watching the clip, it made me want to follow through with my dreams.”

“I would love for everyone to watch this because it is very inspirational,” Mills said. “I also believe that a positive chain reaction can and will change the world.”

More information about Rachel’s Challenge can be found at the organization’s Facebook and Twitter pages and also on their main website.