Yet another anniversary of the Columbine School Massacre is approaching, and with it is the memory of lives lost, and children-gone. Teachers have had to overcome the pain of losing students, but also co-worker. Rachel Scott was one of those students taken in the incident, but she was not your average student. She did marks, but the book she wanted in was The Book of Life, and it had no end . nd with it? The memories of those taken. One of those, is Rachel Scott. Rachel wasn't your average student. She was an over-achiever, and was extrenekh j

1. “I’m Not Ashamed”: Rachel Scott Lives On
Some of you may look at this and say, “Who is Rachel Scott?” If you remember
the story of the Columbine Massacre- two words that still to this day, make me breathe
just a bit slower- then you know some of Rachel Scott’s story. And if you know anything
about clichés, then when I say “some”, then consider I am with the best of intentions as
I recall “some” as just the “tip of the iceberg.”
Rachel Scott was born in Denver, Colorado, She loved the usual things little girls
adored, like Barbie’s, music, and playing dress-up. She was the middle child, middle of
five that is, but she never lacked attention. Rachel loved being around people. She
enjoyed time with her family, her friends, and never neglected a good sleepover.
One thing Rachel’s family noticed most about her, was even as a young person,
she seemed to have what I have heard referred to as “an old soul.” This is when young
people develop a connection to others in need, based on a feeling. Some people have
sympathy for others who are handicapped or less fortunate; however, Rachel appeared
to have more of an empathy for them, which enabled her to see not just a physical pain,
but also their emotional suffrage. Rachel was mentally able to notice the social discourse
in a person’s life, or the emotional pain they tried to hide, and she would reach out to
those whom she felt needed her presence. (Nimmo, 2009)
Rachel’s presence was like sunshine; she was warm and inviting, which she
passed to others around her. She was one of those people who looked for that person in
the room without a smile, just so she could give them hers. She was no stranger to
random acts of kindness, and at an early age, within herself she would create a strength
from within, influencing others around her.
Rachel’s family remembers her sense of humor, her love for the piano, and her
inability to carry a tune, which brought her a bit of ridicule. Rachel was good natured and
just laughed it off. Rachel was in love with the fine arts such as drama, journalism and
photography. Some days, Rachel dressed in jeans and t-shirts snapping pictures, other
days, she was dressed in classy heels, and skirts, her smile welcoming the camera lens.

2. Rachel did not think she was beautiful, but she did find a bit of joyfulness in
everything she did. In swirls of laughter, she flittered about like her favorite insect, the
butterfly, with a joyful smile, in the likeness of her favorite song, in a bittersweet symphony
of lavender and yellow colors, also preferred (Scott, Meet Rachel)- Rachel Joy Scott left
this world on April 20th, 1999, at Columbine High School: a student, a girl, and a life lost,
but never was she a victim of life, never was she ashamed to live life under the faith and
convictions of her God; therefore, she was not a victim in death. (Scott, 2015)
Rachel’s story has been made into a movie. Her mother Beth has taken her
journals and her writings, about her life as a student, her faith and convictions, and how
her life was taken for those reasons. With the 17th anniversary of the Columbine Massacre
upon us, “I Am Not Ashamed, the Rachel Joy Scott Story” will be under production in
Nashville, Tennessee until August 10th, 2015. Darrell and Beth Scott invite you to come
meet Rachel Scott- come share the life, the laughter, and the memories, and help share
as Rachel’s Challenge and Rachel’s Legacy, inspire others each and every day. Benny
Proffitt, executive producer of the movie recalled a memory from one of Rachel’s journals,
“Rachel wrote that she would one day touch the lives of millions,” and Proffitt said, "We
are honored to help make this dream a reality." (Collins, 2015)
Our Two Cents:
Rachel loved poetry and short writings that helped her to process her thoughts and
questions. Rachel wanted to know everything about God. She was determined to know
what HE wanted her to do. She felt a need to follow HIM, sooner than later. Her friends
and family remember her life as a testimony to all of those around her. Her passion was
travel- her personal goal to go outside of the United States to carry her faith and her love
for Jesus Christ with her and to those around her.
Rachel wanted the world to know God, and her family wanted the world to know
her. She had such a deep and resonating beat of her heart to bring HIS word to others.
The family feels "Her pain must not be in vain. They are all called to pick up the
torch." In the Book of Isaiah, Chapter 65, Verse 23 “They will not labor in vain, nor will
they bear children doomed to misfortune; for they will be a people blessed by the Lord,

3. they and their descendants with them.” I feel this is the resonating beat of her soul,
reminding her family, nothing is in vain, when done in the name of the Lord.
Rachel wrote poems, and created pictures to remind others of what GOD has
done. One she drew a picture of a hand, and around it, she wrote- “He gave his life, for
me, I will, give my life to him, Jesus Christ.” Rachel lived her life for GOD, and she gave
her life to GOD. She always found comfort in knowing who she lived for, and comfort
knowing, from the Book of John, Chapter 3, Verse 16, “For God so loved the world that
he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have
eternal life.” Rachel rested in her heart, knowing HE held the whole world in HIS hands,
and Rachel’s soul rests today, as HE holds her in HIS hands.
Works Cited
Collins,P.(2015, July31). Biopic AboutChristian Teen Martyrwill Release on Anniversary of Columbine
Massacre. RetrievedfromChristianNewsWire:
http://www.christiannewswire.com/news/193076457.html
Nimmo,B.(2009). AboutRachel. RetrievedfromRachel JoyScott:
http://www.racheljoyscott.com/rachelslegacy.bio.htm
Scott,B. (2015, Summer). A SpecialMessagefromBeth. RetrievedfromRachel JoyScott:
http://www.racheljoyscott.com/news.htm
Scott,B. (n.d.). MeetRachel. RetrievedfromRachel'sChallenge:Starta ChainReaction:
http://www.rachelschallenge.org/big-picture/meet-rachel/