Eastview High School, Apple Valley, will be hosting a message of kindness and compassion on Dec. 15. Rachel Scott, the first victim in the Columbine High School shootings in 1999, had a theory: “If one person can go out of their way to show compassion then it will start a chain reaction of the same.”
Inspired by her theory and journal writings, Rachel’s family created the Rachel’s Challenge program to spread her powerful message and inspire people to start a chain reaction of kindness and compassion. Rachel’s Challenge is now the largest in-school assembly program in the country and has been seen by more than 12 million people.
As part of its ongoing community involvement efforts, Dakota Electric has helped to bring this message to local schools in its service territory, and this month, the message is coming to Eastview.
Each school program consists of three parts:
- A one-hour school assembly — During the assembly, students learn about Rachel’s life and are challenged to make a positive impact on their world. Students listen intently as the speaker talks about Rachel’s life and code of ethics during the 60-minute presentation.
- Friends of Rachel (FOR) training — Students and staff receive training and year-long support and resource materials that will develop leadership skills and help bring lasting change to their schools through the Friends of Rachel club.
- An evening assembly for the public — The public is invited to attend an evening assembly where they will hear the program but also learn more about Rachel’s family life.
Dakota Electric has sponsored the event at many area schools since 2008.
“This program has a proven track record and is such a quality program, we wanted to help bring it to our local schools,” Greg Miller, Dakota Electric’s CEO, said.
The public is invited to the evening assembly on Dec. 15 at 7 p.m. at Eastview High School. To find out more about Rachel’s Challenge, visit www.rachelschallenge.org.
A customer-owned, non-profit utility since 1937, Dakota Electric Association provides electricity to more than 100,000 members throughout Dakota County and portions of Goodhue, Rice and Scott counties. Dakota Electric, a Touchstone Energy Partner, serves its member-owners with integrity, accountability, innovation and commitment to community.
