Cody Hodges tells the story of Rachel Scott in the Hughes-Trigg Theater. (MICHAEL DANSER/The Daily Campus)

On Monday night SMU students gathered in Hughes Trigg Theater to attend an event hosted by Students for a Better Society called Rachel’s Challenge. This event told the story of Rachel Scott, the first person killed at the Columbine High School shooting on April 20, 1999.

Cody Hodges, a professional speaker told Rachel’s inspirational story to the gathered group: Rachel had a mission to make a difference around the world by performing small acts of kindness.

“I am going to make an impact on the world,” Rachel once told her high school teacher. Shortly before she died, Rachel wrote six diaries dedicated to her own code of ethics, based on the theory of acknowledging the value and dignity of all people. 

One of her many writings states, “I have this theory that if one person can go out of their way to show compassion, then it will start a chain reaction of the same.” After Rachel’s death, her father found her diaries and was inspired to start a program teaching the importance of her message.

The mission of Rachel’s Challenge is to inspire hearts through the story of Rachel’s life, instruct minds through practical training exercises, and enable achievement for each and every student by setting attainable goals and creating unity.

Over 13 million students have already heard Rachel’s story. In 2006 the National Education Association of New York awarded Rachel’s father and Rachel’s Challenge the “Catharine Barrett Friend of Education Award.” 

Rachel was also awarded the Acts of Kindness Association’s 2001 National Kindness Award for “Student of the Year.” The program encouraged students to make a difference in the lives of others. Hodges communicated five challenges to SMU students: 1) eliminate prejudice, 2) dare to dream, 3) choose your influences, 4) kind words and small acts of kindness 5) start a chain reaction.

At the conclusion of the presentation, students raised their hands to publicly reveal their commitment to abide by these five challenges. They left the room encouraged by Rachel’s story and motivated by the five challenges.

April Zinober, president of Students for a Better Society, felt that Rachel’s Challenge inspired those who attended the program.

“Students walked away from this program inspired to become better people and to really touch the life of a person in a positive way,” Zinober said.Several other students also felt the presentation offered them a valuable lesson and left the room ready to make a change in their lives and the lives of others.

“I pledge to make a difference in the lives of others by expressing kindness” sophomore Megan Acosta said.