Craig Scott continues to speak and work with schools throughout the country sharing lessons he learned from Columbine. One of those people was Darrell Scott, whose daughter Rachel Joy Scott was the first person killed at Columbine. He became a dedicated gun control advocate and wrote a book about dealing with his grief and his campaign against the National Rifle Association. "[12], On April 20, 2009, the tenth anniversary of the Columbine shootings, Darrell Scott told NBC interviewer Natalie Morales on the Today show, "We've seen a lot of lives changed from her story and our program, Rachel's Challenge, has touched literally 13million lives over the last ten years". So hes found his own way to honor them and comfort himself. When we view life through the eyes of faith, we can say, Things appear one way, but my God is sovereign, loving, merciful, and kind. We've seen bullying stopped, incidents where a student came up with hit lists or plans to shoot up his school, and told either the speaker or told the teacher about their plans, but had a change of heart. When it comes to having perspective in this world, there are look-at-ers and there are see-through-ers. It was Norman Grubb who coined those terms, and hes expressing the idea that you can look at something and just evaluate it on the surface, or you can look deeper. "I think she would be proud of my family," Scott said. Darrell Scott, the father of Rachel Scott, a victim of the Columbine High School shootings in Littleton, Colorado, was invited to address the House Judiciary Committee's subcommittee. "There are eight school shootings we know of that would have taken place if it hadn't been for Rachel's Challenge," Scott said. Several survivors and family members of the victims gathered at the school's library to speak to the media. The villain was not the club he used. Because when people feel accepted they're not going to do something like Eric and Dylan [the Columbine perpetrators] did. You've outlawed simple prayer. In the wake of the 2006 West Nickel Mines School shooting, Craig Scott was formally invited to address a National Council on issues relating to safety and security in schools. "I called my mom, and I said, 'Mom, I'm OK, but I think there's something wrong with Rachel,'" Scott remembered. Dare to examine your own heart before casting the first stone! And it started to eat me up.". And if you can, find it in your heart, practice forgiveness, because unforgiveness creates bitterness, anger, a need for revenge and can ruin your life., Yes, Darrell Scott insisted. The real villain lies within our own hearts. [48], Craig expressed extreme regret for his last interaction with his sister: slamming a car door at her when being dropped off at school that morning. As evidence for this, she claimed that Scott was shot execution-style, though the official report published by police stated that Scott was shot from a distance of 10 to 15 feet. To those of you who would point your finger at the NRA I give to you a sincere challenge. [13], At the White House Conference on School Safety held in Washington, DC, on October 10, 2006, Craig Scott addressed the President of the United States, the United States Attorney General, and the Secretary of Education, saying, in part, "Kindness and compassion can be the biggest antidotes to anger and hatred, and I believe the biggest antidotes to violence. There is no doubt that God sent this man as a voice crying in the wilderness. Forgiveness is not for them. Scott opened up to Couric about Rachel and the kind of warmhearted person she was. [94], The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation posthumously awarded Scott the 2001 National Kindness Award for Student of the Year. One of those was Rachel Joy Scott, mercilessly murdered for her faith in God. Some of these sites explicitly or implicitly refer to Scott's belief in Christianity and suggest that she was killed because of it. We all contain the seeds of kindness or the seeds of violence. Rachel's Challenge - Wikipedia Randy Alcorn (@randyalcorn) is the author of over sixtybooks and the founder and director of Eternal Perspective Ministries. Like many of us, I vividly remember the shock as the events unfolded. Legal Statement. As previously reported by The Inquisitr, Rachel's brother Scott was a survivor of the Columbine massacre. He'd read Norman Grubb's writings about the eye of faith that allows us to see through our worst circumstances to God's purpose. [15], When Scott was 11 in March 1993, she visited the church that her aunt and uncle attended in Shreveport, Louisiana, and chose to commit herself to Christianity. CHAIN REACTION PB: A Call to Compassi, SCOTT & RABEY "I hope to see her one day again. Darrell Scott father of Rachel Scott killed in Columbine shooting gives congress the truth on God and gun control. Columbine Victim Rachel Scott's Kindness Lives On - HuffPost Images of heavily armed SWAT teams descending on a school and the sight of students filing out with their hands up were burned into the national consciousness. IE 11 is not supported. Watch Untold Stories of Columbine | Prime Video - amazon.com Graves said everybody who was at Columbine that day was a victim, not just the people who were hit by the gunfire. Sean Graves, one of the survivors, has said in previous interviews that he knew the shooters but was not close to either of them. We can help you keep up. If you have anything you'd like them to do for me, please leave a message. I was 15 years old when I was shot. "I think this year, it's gonna be different because we're spreading the word of both hope and positivity, and love and commitment to give back," he said. Trump had invited survivors of school violence and parents of murdered children in a show of his resolve against gun violence in the wake of last week's shootings at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. Rachels Challenge, a not-for-profit organization inspired by Rachels legacy, works to combat school shootings by focusing efforts on the main causes of youth violence. Dawn Anna speaks about the anniversary of the mass shooting at Columbine High School in suburban Denver on March 23, 2019. "And so while every other mother in Littleton was praying that her child was safe, I had to pray that mine would die before he hurt anyone else," Sue Klebold said in the book "Far From the Tree.". For them and for too many others, the massacre at Columbine High School is both past and ever-present, a wound that never really heals because every time somebody with a high-powered weapon unleashes a bloodbath at a school, the scab gets ripped off. This was written way before I knew I would be speaking here today: Your laws ignore our deepest needs [16] By April 1998, when she was at Columbine High School, five of her closest friends had distanced themselves from her because of her increasing commitment to her faith. "They can look at me and tell me 'I saw that you went through this, and look, you made something good out of it. It was a number of weeks after the tragedy that we were cleaning out some of his personal effects and I came across a pair of tennis shoes, he said. Darrell Scott - Public Speaking & Appearances - Speakerpedia If I died right now, I can tell you my daughter's prayer has been answered. Youve got people that were physically injured, you got people that lost their lives, he said. [32][33][34] In one instance while working there, she felt remorse for not assisting a homeless woman who had come into the store and vowed to be more helpful to such people in the future. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. Rachel Joy Scott (August 5, 1981 April 20, 1999) was an American student who was the first fatality of the Columbine High School massacre, in which 11 other students and a teacher were also murdered by Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, who then died by suicide. "And it comes from something you said last week in your speech, and it was that we must create a culture of connectedness," he said. By Jean Fain, Contributor The time to study these things in the Bible is now. Craig Scott visits the Columbine Memorial, paying respects to his sister and the others killed in the 1999 shooting attack. All Rights Reserved. Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School senior Samuel Zeif, whose best friend was killed during the mass shooting, talks about shooting deaths in Australia as Darrell Scott listens, while participating in a listening session hosted by President Donald Trump at the White House on Feb. 21, 2018. It needs to be heard by every parent, every teacher, every politician, every sociologist, every psychologist, and every so-called expert! [14] Acting did not initially come easily to her, and she had to devote extra effort to succeed in this activity. Coni Sanders, daughter of Dave Sanders, the slain teacher, said what happened at the Colorado high school changed everything and yet nothing. [106] He notes: "I feel that God has really called me to do this. "Gore Says GOP Stalling Gun Control for NRA." Since then, he's been working tirelessly to share her beliefs far and wide. Privacy Policy. Rachel Scott was the first student to be killed in the Columbine High School shooting in 1999. [68] Journalist Hanna Rosin framed public remembrance of her death as part of a phenomenon in which teenage Christians began obsessing over Christian-based death. "I had no idea that would be something I would be doing a hundred, a thousand more times over the next 20 years.". In addition, Scott felt support from the entire nation after appearing on TODAY for an interview with Katie Couric on April 22, two days after the massacre. I would have prosecuted to see they could never do it again. Simply looking at the horror and apparent senselessness of Columbine would have paralyzed him, while seeing through it prompted him before God to carry on Rachels heart of ministry in reaching out to others. What he said . Mauser wears Daniel's sneakers whenever he speaks publicly about the tragedy that still breaks his heart. Rachel Scott, 17, was the first person shot in the massacre. 27 May 1999 (p. A5). "My family, in the months to come, started to feel a sense of purpose and mission with telling Rachel's story," Scott said. What has happened to us as a nation? Without hesitation he said, Become a student of Gods Word., He added, Dont be content to be hand-fed by others. "And it comes from something you. A viral account describes Darrell Scott's statement before a House subcommittee on crime after the Columbine school shootings. [69] Christian churches used the martyr narrative of Scott's and Bernall's deaths to promote themselves and recruit members. Columbine, he said, was where I lost Rachel and where I saw my friends die.. [71] Castaldo said in his speech at Scott's funeral, "People tell me I said she said she believed in God, and I can't remember it,"[74] and Larkin wrote in 2007 that Castaldo "could not remember Klebold or Harris saying anything."[47]. [22], Scott struggled with self-esteem issues as a teenager, and has been described by her family as being "blind to her own beauty". The subcommittee hearing at which he spoke was covered by the Associated Press and reported in several big-city newspapers; in fact, due to intense media interest regarding everything related to the then-recent Columbine shootings, the event actually received much more general media coverage than a House subcommittee hearing typically would have. [25] Scott's 16-year-old brother, Craig, was also at the school on the day of the massacre; he was in the library where most of the killings occurred; he survived unharmed, although two of his close friends were also murdered. If she were somehow aware of what has happened with her story and her legacy, and to say, 'Nice job, little bro,' that would be pretty cool.". "[9] Scott told Newsweek, "principals and teachers always need to be on the lookout for that kid who's isolated, or that's quiet, who always stays to himself, because that's typically the type of kid who ends up exploding. Written by her parents, including her journal entries, it is part of a nationwide school outreach program and ministry. [50][51] Her funeral was one of the first services following the massacre and was attended by more than 1,000 people that included friends and staff at Columbine High School. In 1998, she performed a mime act to the song "Watch the Lamb" at the school talent show. 1991 - 2023 Eternal Perspective MinistriesAll Rights Reserved. Since that fateful day in 1999, Darrell has spoken to over 5 million educators, students, parents and professionals in live settings around the world. The Boston Globe. Its hard to imagine its already been 20 years, a visibly emotional Graves told NBC News. When Darrell looked back at his daughters murder, he said that years before, God had prepared him. "[107] Rachel's mother, on the 10th anniversary of her daughter's passing, stated: "Only through eternal eyes will she ever know how powerful her life and death became."[108]. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Darrell Scott, Father Of A Columbine Victim, Calls For 'Culture Of Much of the blame lies behind the pointing fingers of the accusers themselves. Darrell Scott, father of Columbine High School shooting victim Rachel Scott, gave stirring testimony before a subcommittee of the U.S. House of Representatives Judiciary Committee. I am not here to represent or defend the NRA because I don't believe that they are responsible for my daughter's death. Father of Columbine shooting victim meets with Trump, says he feels Craig Scott, a survivor, shares his story. He also was one of several activists invited to the White House to meet with President Donald Trump after the Feb. 14, 2018, massacre that claimed 17 lives at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. The tape jammed halfway through the song and Dylan Klebold, who ran audio for the school theater production club, came to her rescue and fixed the tape, leading her to thank him afterwards. Darrell Scott is the father of Rachel Joy Scott, the first of the thirteen victims of the Columbine High School massacre. Twenty years later, Dawn Anna still saves a seat for her daughter, Lauren Townsend, when she goes to the movies, knowing full well that she wont show. Father of Columbine Student Speaks About Tragedy - a Must - GodVine The Arizona Republic. Rumor: Columbine Parent's Speech 12 Years Later - Wafflesatnoon.com Inc The Rachels Challenge presentations are given in schools and communities by members of her family and other speakers, using video footage of the Columbine High School massacre and its aftermath, combined with Rachel Scotts drawings and writings, in a campaign to quell school violence, bullying, and teen suicide. [16] He hopes to produce inspirational films and is on the board of directors of the American Screenwriters Association. "The days right after you're in so much shock," Scott said. [9] Her father was a pastor at a church in Lakewood, Colorado, and worked as a sales manager for a Denver-based food company; her mother was a homemaker. The following is a portion of the transcript: Since the dawn of creation there has been both good and evil in the hearts of men and women. ". Mr. Scott testified before the House Judiciary Committee subcommittee on crime delivered 27 May 1999, Rayburn House office building in Washington, D.C. 27 June 1999 (p. E15). Darrell Scott is the father of Rachel Joy Scott, a victim of the Columbine High School shooting that occurred on April 20, 1999. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. "It seems like every month, theres a new tragedy of some kind somewhere around, said Rick Townsend, whose daughter, Lauren, was 18 when she was gunned down. [62], The circumstances surrounding Scott's death and its relation to her religious beliefs are disputed in the martyr narrative. Tom Mauser, father of Daniel Mauser who was killed in the Columbine High School shooting, gets the crowd fired up at Civic Center Park for the March for Our Lives rally March 24, 2018. Darrell and Sandy Scott, parents of Rachel Scott who was a victim of the Columbine shootings Photograph: James Chance/Rapport Darrell Scott's 17-year-old daughter Rachel was the first victim of . Craig Scott, who was a sophomore at the time, first spoke publicly about what happened in a wrenching "Today" show interview during which he and Shoels father held hands to comfort each other. [25] In addition to her passion for fashion, music, and photography, she was an avid viewer of classic movies, and often spoke of her desire to become a renowned Hollywood actress. The following morning, authorities confirmed that Rachel was one of the first students killed. Every morning I wake up, I recite the names of the 13, because theyll always have a special place in my heart, he said. Another parent who lost a child to a school-related shooting, Byrl Phillips-Taylor, testified after Darrell Scott and offered the opposite opinion: a lack of controls on the sale of assault weapons, Ms. Phillips-Taylor maintained, had led to the shooting death of her son. This page was last edited on 26 February 2023, at 12:00. Castaldo, who was also hit and played dead while the killers moved on, was left paralyzed. "Parents of Slain Students Differ on Blame for Shootings." [77] Rachel's Challenge is a national nonprofit and nonpolitical organization[78] whose stated aims are to advocate a safe and positive climate and culture in schools in a campaign to quell school violence, bullying, discrimination, and both homicidal and suicidal thoughts in students. We do not need more religion. Experts say copycat shooters often become obsessed with the date of a tragedy that they hope to emulate. Denver Post. On one occasion, this included writing a prayer for one of the future perpetrators of the Columbine High School massacre. He was also seeing professional counselors. 28 May 1999 (p. 36). Theyd be young adults, 38 and 39, he said. And I want people to know that its OK to need to heal. For more stories and videos from the series, click here. In anniversaries that followed, Graves would visit the spot where he was shot and light a cigar in memory of his friend, Danny Rohrbough, 15, who was killed there. DeAngelis, the Columbine High School principal that day, waited until 2014 to retire, saying he felt a moral obligation to stay until those who were in elementary school at the time of the shooting graduated. She was a member of the school's forensics and drama clubs. The tearful interview, which NBC did not interrupt with normally scheduled station breaks, was described a year later by USA Today as "one of the most indelible moments of the tragedy". "This is an amazingly strong, loving community, and Columbine, that word Columbine, should mean that. And their lives were taken far too quickly.. Im thankful because it has made me who I am now, he said. When the Scott family began going through Rachel's possessions, they found an essay she had written about her ethics. He found out the next morning his sister also was dead. Amazon.com: Untold Stories Of Columbine : Darrell Scott, -: Movies & TV She was the third of five children born to Darrell Scott and Beth (Nimmo) Scott. We've done it with a simple story of a young girl who believed in compassion, Rachel Joy Scott. Tom Mauser also found his voice after his 15-year-old son, Daniel a straight-A student and a member of the school debate team was killed.
