Rachel Joy Scott

Rachel Joy Scott at 17 yrs old (http://www.rachelscott.com/ AboutRachelScott/PhotosRachel.htm)

On April 20, 1999 Rachel Joy Scott was one of thirteen people shot and killed senselessly at Columbine High School when two teenage boys brought guns to school. They decided to take the lives of innocent people. “The two student gunmen were Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold. Their plans for attacking the school, recovered by investigators after the tragedy had taken place, evolved over one year's time. In those plans, Klebold and Harris outlined a mission to kill as many students and faculty as possible. They would set off destructive bombs inside the school and then shoot any survivors trying to run out. Bombs inside their cars would explode later, killing law enforcement, fire or medical personnel responding to the scene. It seemed right to students who heard the first few shots that, as it was toward the end of the school year, prank day was finally upon them. But it wasn't a prank. Not when two hate-filled students, heavily armed with firearms and bombs, chose April 20, 1999, as the day to attack and kill students and faculty at their school.”

Rachel Scott is my hero because even though she was facing death she faced it bravely. She was killed that day having a great sense of faith in goodness. What’s known about Rachel is that she absolutely believed in God. Some people thoroughly recognized that she was prepared for her death. The thing I admire the most about her was that she was seventeen when she died and she was willing to face her destiny that day.

Rachel's drawing has 13 tears (http://www.rachelscott.com/AboutRachelScott/ DrawingsRachelsTears.htm)

Rachel Joy Scott was born on August 5, 1981 and lived near Littleton, Colorado. She was strong in faith even as a child. She showed it by writing in her many journals throughout the years of her short life. In 1997, Beth (Rachel’s mother)gave Rachel a small journal for Christmas and everyday she wrote a prayer to God. Rachel’s Parents wouldn’t find out until after her death that she already knew it was going to happen. On May 2nd she wrote, “This is my last year Lord. I have gotten what I can. Thank you.” She also drew a picture, known as Rachel’s tears; it has two eyes with thirteen tears falling down (representing the thirteen people killed that day). Her parents, after seeing it, believe that Rachel definately knew that she herself and 12 others were going to die fairly soon. On April 20, 1999 she was shot twice in the legs and once in the torso while was eating lunch. Harris and Kelbold left, only to return seconds later. Harris grabbed Rachel by the hair, lifted up her head and asked her “Do you believe in God?” Rachel replied “You know I do.” “Then go be with him,” responded Harris before shooting her in the head.

Rachel's younger years (http://www.rachelscott.com/ AboutRachelScott/PhotosMiddle.htm)

It is apparent that Rachel lived her life loving others and being extremely loved by others. Bethanee Scott (Rachel's sister) says, “People ask me all the time, 'What was Rachel like as a sister?' I always have to say that she was as normal as my other sister. She was fun, goofy, dramatic... sometimes we got along, sometimes we didn't. Rachel was an easy person to love. Even though Rachel was my little sister I am the one looking up to her.” Darrell Scott (Rachel's Father) said "Rachel had a unique way of tilting her head to the side when she was thinking seriously. And I remember her beautiful smile. Rachel had an inward motivation to accomplish as much as possible. Whenever she sensed an injustice being done to someone, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant it was, indignation rose up within her. She was always ready to stand up for anyone who she felt was mistreated.” That is demonstrated in how she met her good friend Sergio Gonzales. “We met the first day of class (fourth grade) and she shined back then too. Here's just one quick story: I remember one Halloween. I wore a Zorro costume to school, and I hated it because my mom made it and I felt pretty dorky. And Rachel came to me and said, 'What's wrong with you, Serge? I love Zorro. I like him. I'd like to be him. You wanna switch costumes with me?' end ever since then, we just had this bond that just grew and grew ever since our first play in fourth grade until our last play that we performed at Columbine." -Sergio Gonzales. From these three quotes anyone can see how caring and loving Rachel was towards others.

Rachel's signed casket (http://columbine.free2host.net/ victim/funeral.html)

Rachel Scott's friends at Columbine High School "would have been signing her yearbook at the end of that year but, instead they signed her casket on Saturday April 24, 1999." Friends and relatives lined up to write their farewell wishes and sign their names on the white casket at her funeral service. Her grave site was overflowing with flowers, letters, posters, and presents from her friends and family. Darrel Scott wrote a poem about Rachel the night she died “Looking down, seeing despair, Only leaving a soul searching for air, Feeling the warmth, seeing the light, Reaching for wings for the eternal flight, Slipping away from this world today, Angel of mine you’ve found your way. Let my love be the wind beneath your wing, As you rejoice in heaven and sing. Angel of mine, Your face will make the heavens so bright With your beauty, grace, and loving spirit.” Not only did Colorado mourn for Rachel the whole nation mourned for her.

She lived her life to the fullest, trusting in God and showing people love and compassion. Her life story has made a chain reaction in the lives of others, like she wanted. Her family keeps her legacy and spirit alive. They have created a program called “Rachel’s Challenge.” It teaches people the story of Rachel and how to show the kind of love she had towards others. Rachel is not only my hero but a hero to many people all over the world.