EAHS accepts Rachel’s Challenge, hopes to reach beyond school walls
By Heather Ruenz
SLN staff
To ensure students are treated with respect and not subjected to bullying, the Elkhorn Area School District implemented a program a few years ago.
The OLWEUS Bullying Prevention Program is a comprehensive approach that includes school, classroom, individual and community components and has been found to reduce bullying, improve social climate of classrooms and reduce antisocial behaviors.
Though OLWEUS has been successful, the district decided to expand this year in an effort to have an even greater impact.
“The districtwide anti-bullying program started with staff, but we decided to include students so reached out to Lily,” said Ryan McBurney, associate principal at Elkhorn Area High School.
Lily Schwenk, a senior, is a member of the school’s leadership council. She said she was in the process of researching for possible programs when someone sent a link to Rachel’s Challenge.
“I was really touched by it so took it to Mr. McBurney,” Schwenk said.
Rachel’s Challenge is a legacy to Rachel Joy Scott, the first person killed in the Columbine High School shooting on April 20, 1999.
“After her death, many students that Rachel reached out to shared stories with the Scotts about the profound impact her simple acts of kindness had on their lives, even preventing one young man from taking his own life,” it states on the Rachel’s Challenge website.
In realizing the effect of her story, the nonprofit organization that is now Rachel’s Challenge was started.
Read more, including how EAHS has begun implementing changes and hopes to expand into the community, in the Dec. 6 Elkhorn Independent.
