Rachel Scott drew a picture of her hands on the back of her dresser. In those hands she wrote, “These hands belong to Rachel Joy Scott and will someday touch millions of people’s hearts.” On April 20, 1999 Rachel was killed at Columbine High School and since then her story has been heard by thousands of youth across the country.
Hundreds of young people gathered Thursday evening during a youth “eye-closer” at the 2009 General Assembly to hear former NFL quarterback Cody Hodges tell Rachel’s story. His presentation was accompanied by a powerful video that played images from Columbine surveillance cameras, 911 audio, and interviews with Rachel’s family and friends.
Hodges read excerpts from Rachel’s personal diaries that painted a picture of a brave young woman with a heart committed to her faith. “I want you to use me to reach the unreached… I want to do it now.” Rachel wrote. Her family and friends believe that her life and death had a purpose, to share her message of kindness with the world.
Classmates’ stories flashed on the screen telling the kindness Rachel routinely showed them. Adam, a disabled young man, credits Rachel with saving his life. Fellow students bullied him nearly every day. Rachel took it upon herself to intervene one day. That day Adam had been planning on taking his own life, but changed his mind after meeting Rachel. “She was a reminder of the good in people,” Adam said.
The evening session ended with Hodges issuing a challenge to the youth. “What do you want your legacy to be?” Rachel is remembered for changing lives and bringing others to God through her actions. Hodges reminded the youth that they too can be beacons of light in others’ lives. “We need to start a chain reaction,” he said. “Be and example of Christ’s love through kindness.”
By: Katie Johnson
