By Maggie Lee / Staff

Students at Northwestern Middle School this month are taking up Rachel’s Challenge —  a program designed to increase kindness and inspire good character —  and judging by what they’re saying, it just may work.

“I’m going to go home and apologize to my brother for everything I’ve ever done to him,” said student Taylor Sanna after a recent morning assembly.

The program is inspired by the writings of Rachel Scott, the first student killed during the Columbine High School shootings in 1999. Within the diaries she left behind are extensive reflections about kindness, including the quote that defines the program: “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.”

For the sixth-grade program, compassion starts with the golden rule.  RC speaker Jimmy Braden presented that and other “challenges,” such as spreading positive gossip and forgiveness and  not mocking other students.

“They relate to being picked on, especially at this age,” Braden said. 

The Rachel’s Challenge presentation is available for all ages from elementary school to adult, but the challenges become more complex for older groups. 

“Middle school is the age when kids set their values and belief system,” Northwestern Principal Bruce Fraser noted. 

Students who are picked on might not realize there are other choices besides the two extremes of just saying “stop it” or hitting the bully, Fraser explained. 

So his school chose this program to help kids “fill their toolbox” with what they need to recognize and choose moderate, smart actions.

The program showed “how to be a better student to students who aren’t as cool around school or popular,” said sixth-grader Omari Hawkins, adding that being cool or popular isn’t very important.     

“It taught me not to be rude to people … treat people they way you want to be treated,” commented Hawkins’ fellow student Bryce Jackson. 

“It showed you how to be a better person,” said Noah Dressie.

School Counselor Janette Hinton says she wants “respect to be a norm” at her school.

“I expect that from my kids.  If we are consistent, it can happen.”

After Braden’s morning program, he led some 200 students in forming the Chain Links Club, meant to foster an ongoing chain of kind acts at the school.