HOPKINS CO., KY (WFIE) -
The Hopkins County School District is taking new steps to stop bullying.
Earlier this year, a National Anti-Bullying Program called Rachel's Challenge made a presentation to the faculty. Now, school officials want to spread that message to the entire community.
Rachel's Challenge has reached nearly 18 million people, and on Monday, it was the students in Hopkins County that were able to hear this emotional message.
"It was real emotional," senior Donavon Gary said.
"It was more intense than I thought it would be," said Delisha Banmatre, a HCCHS student.
"I looked around and everybody was crying, so it touched everybody," senior Jonathan Jones said.
Rachel Scott was the first person killed in the Columbine shootings over a decade ago. But it was her lifelong dream for people to show respect, kindness, and compassion to everyone, and that's what presenters are trying to pass along today.
"She's changing lives and that kindness that she's talking about, we all need it," Jones said.
Earlier this year, the Hopkins County School District accepted the challenge to introduce this message to students and their families from elementary to high school. The overall goal was to reduce bullying, violence, and suicide.
"They'll think more than once about bullying somebody because they know the impact that it has on each other from hearing this message," Gary said.
Seniors, Gary and Jones, say bullying continues to be a problem, but they now realize they can be part of the solution.
"I've had a couple bullying incidents where I had to step in and help somebody and it makes me feel good about myself because I don't like to see it," Jones said.
"Be more tolerant and accept people more and be more kind. Just accepting people's differences and how they differentiate with people," Gary said.
Rachel's Challenge will be touring schools across the county for the next two weeks, and the community is encouraged to hear Rachel's story.
"I feel like everybody needs to hear this message. It was special and I think overall it'll change people's outlook on things," Gary said.
The first of the community events was Monday night at 6:00 p.m. at Hopkins County Central.
Here is the full schedule of Rachel's Challenge community events:
Monday, Oct. 22 - Hopkins County Central, 6 p.m.
Tuesday, Oct. 23 - James Madison Middle, 6 p.m.
Wednesday, Oct. 24 - Madisonville North Hopkins, 7 p.m.
Thursday, Oct. 25 - West Hopkins, 6 p.m.
Tuesday, Oct. 30 - Browning Springs Middle, 6 p.m.
Thursday, Nov. 1 - South Hopkins Middle, 6 p.m.
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Rachel Scott was the first person killed in the Columbine shootings over a decade ago.
