Keith MacPherson, Sports Editor
Gainesville Daily Register
SHERMAN —
Students in Muenster Independent School District interpersonal communications classes were busy the last three weeks organizing an anti-bullying presentation for other junior high and high school students.
The youth accepted “Rachel’s Challenge” by attempting to inspire students to treat each other equally.
Rachel’s Challenge is a program inspired by Rachel Joy Scott, a student murdered in the Columbine High School massacre of Littleton, Colo., in 1999.
The Muenster students started their campaign by hanging up posters around the school that featured positive messages. After that, they organized a whole week to actively educate students about Rachel Scott and her message.
The day of Monday was “Mix It Up” day; prior to entering the school cafeteria, students would receive a colored sticker. Then they would sit at the table that was labeled with the same color as their stickers. This activity encouraged communication between different age groups.
Tuesday was “Chain” day. A chain was assembled out slips of paper that students wrote kind deeds on. The colors of both Muenster schools were incorporated into the chain, and it was hung at the basketball game to represent unity between the two campuses. Also, a speech was given during the game’s halftime period as a mode of outreach toward students unaware of Rachel Scott.
Wednesday was “Shoe Swap” day. Students swapped one shoe with each other in order to literally “walk in another person’s shoes”. Also, on this day, a presentation was given to junior high and high school students about Rachel Scott. The students also participated in a “cross the line” activity, which is designed to give students a personal perspective on bullying.
Thursday was “Pajama Pants” day. And on Friday, a poster was hung in the hallway that said “I accept Rachel’s challenge.” Students were encouraged to trace their hands on the poster and sign their name to it as a pledge that “These hands we will someday change the world.”
Organizing teacher Joni Sturm said the anti-bullying awareness project was a huge success and added that Muenster students plan to expand it in the near future.
