Rachel Scott, a student at Columbine High School, was awarded the Acts of Kindness Association National Kindness Award for Student of the Year. In 1999, she was one of 12 killed in the tragic shootings in Colorado. Her story and acts of kindness have become the foundation for a life-changing school program titled Rachel’s Challenge.

Designed to inspire, instruct and enable others to bring positive changes into their schools and community, the program features some video footage of the massacre, followed by training session involving both students and adults.

This project will be presented to the entire student body of West Islip schools during the days of October 6 and 7. It will also be offered to the entire community at 7:30 p.m. in the West Islip High School auditorium that Thursday evening.

President George W. Bush says, "I commend Rachel’s Challenge for encouraging our youth to make a difference in our schools and neighborhoods."

For more information, contact the Office of Community Relations at 631-893-3200, extension 371.