Chris is publisher of the Greene County Daily World. He can be reached by email at cpruett79@gmail.com or by calling (812) 847-4487

Uncle of Columbine victim to speak at White River Valley

Posted Friday, November 5, 2010, at 8:03 AM

As Layton Wall walked around the campus of Columbine High School in Colorado this past summer he was in awe.

And when he came upon the Columbine Memorial he called it a "sobering and enlightening" experience.

Wall and his wife, Brenda, were in Colorado for the Rachel's Challenge Summit. Rachel Scott was the first of 12 students and a teacher killed by students Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold in the April 20, 1999 shooting spree.

"My wife and I attended the first annual Rachel's Challenge Summit this past summer. I was deeply impressed with the conference and Rachel's father, Darrell Scott," Wall, White River Valley School Corporation's superintendent, said.

He later walked the campus with Debbie Phelps, a junior high principal and strong supporter of the program.

Wall was so impressed with the program that he's bringing it to his students at WRV as part of its anti-bullying campaign.

All students will take part in a convocation Nov. 8. Rachel's uncle, Larry Scott, will be the guest speaker.

Scott will speak several times Nov. 8 at White River Valley Jr./Sr. High School. He will speak to a general student assembly at 1 p.m. and to the student council and other leadership organizations at 2 p.m.

At the student leadership in-service training, Scott will give student leaders key tools to help them implement and maintain the Rachel's Challenge Kindness and Compassion Campaign among the WRV student body.

In addition, Scott will talk about Rachel and her vision of kindness and compassion for all at an evening appearance for Greene County parents, students, church members and community members in the WRV Jr./Sr. High School gym at 7 p.m.

Rachel was killed while eating lunch outside Columbine High School. A devout Christian, she was known for her friendliness and compassionate nature. She left behind six diaries and several essays about her belief in God and her desire to change the world through small, random acts of kindness.

Rachel's father, Darrell Scott, started Rachel's Challenge after finding, a week after the Columbine massacre, an essay by Rachel titled, "My Ethics, My Code of Life." In it, she wrote, "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."

"I believe Rachel's Challenge is a very effective program and curriculum. We are pleased to have the chance to bring it to White River Valley," Wall explained.

"Our kids will learn more about how kindness and compassion combat bullying and other negative behaviors. I certainly encourage parents, WRV staff members and our communities to support Rachel's Challenge."

Wall feels strongly in being proactive and not reactive when it comes to bullying.

"We are bringing Larry in to officially kick off our anti-bullying campaign and curriculum. I feel too many programs and events focus on reactive rather than proactive measures," Wall said.

"The Rachel's Challenge curriculum focuses on kindness and compassion. If we can foster this in our students we do not need to worry about many negative behaviors. We hope to see less disciplinary infractions, a safer and kinder school system and core values such as respect, tolerance, kindness, etc."

Wall has written a book about anti-bullying and he reads it to his corporation's elementary students. It's titled Rat Fishin' with Ralphie Rat: A Bully Learns A Lesson.

"All of our students were given a copy. We hope this was a great springboard activity to bring about awareness to students," Wall said.

"I firmly believe it must first begin with our elementary students and continue through grade 12."

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I think Mr Wall needs to walk the halls of the Lyons Elementary and ask the teachers if they believe the same principles?

I have a 5th grader who has witnessed classmates getting bullied by one girl in particular. This girl has been turned in several times, yet never gets in trouble. When my child asks me WHY, what am I supposed to say? When a classmates mother told me that her child dreads to go to sleep, because she does not want to wake up, knowing she has to go to school w/ the bully, that sounds like a serious bully issue. So, Mr. Wall, if you firmly believe it must first begin with our elementary students and continue through grade 12, ENFORCE IT!!

-- Posted by switzie on Fri, Nov 5, 2010, at 9:08 PM
Wasn't there just a MAJOR act of violence/bullying at the WRV high school? It's been kept pretty quiet....wonder why....Mr. Wall, Maybe you should have read it to the High School/Jr. High as well....

-- Posted by Uh-huh on Sat, Nov 6, 2010, at 1:08 PM
I think it is great what Mr. Wall is doing. Why are you people bullying him??? He is a Principle. If he did inforce what you want then the parents would be all over him. Its like the old expression d**ed if you do and d**ed if you dont.

-- Posted by Scorpio1969 on Sat, Nov 6, 2010, at 9:05 PM
Scorpio - I think it's great that we are addressing the problem, but do you have kids in our school system.? I have one in high school that was bullied in the elementary and I became the mean mother because I refused to allow my child to be miserable all day. Now I have one in the elementary and he is truly worried about one girl hurting herself because she is getting bullied Everyday by the same girl and the class mates have seen it, yet nothing is done. This girl will use the F WORD and push an shove and jut harass the kids . I think each school needs an anonymous bully reporting system. I am not picking on MR WALL but words are words until they are put in action.

-- Posted by switzie on Sun, Nov 7, 2010, at 8:52 AM
Scorpio - I think it's great that we are addressing the problem, but do you have kids in our school system.? I have one in high school that was bullied in the elementary and I became the mean mother because I refused to allow my child to be miserable all day. Now I have one in the elementary and he is truly worried about one girl hurting herself because she is getting bullied Everyday by the same girl and the class mates have seen it, yet nothing is done. This girl will use the F WORD and push an shove and jut harass the kids . I think each school needs an anonymous bully reporting system. I am not picking on MR WALL but words are words until they are put in action.

-- Posted by switzie on Sun, Nov 7, 2010, at 8:52 AM
I do not have a child in school but I do have two grand=daughters and the one in Jr High has a disability and has been made fun of on numerous occasions. But do I blame the principle? NO--he is only one man in this school system of ours. I agree there needs to be something done about this girl who is bullying others. Has anyone ever went to a school board meeting and address the problem to them, or talked to the girls parents? Has these kids who saw this girl bullying others complained to the teacher, if so then the teacher needs to report it. And if she/he is ignoring it then something needs to be done about that teacher. Im not saying talking to the girls parents will do any good as alot of parents dont care what their child is doing, but its worth a try. Blaming the principle is not the solution to the problem, but something need to done. A child needs to enjoy going to school, to learn and be with friends. Not to dread it to the point it makes them sick.

-- Posted by Scorpio1969 on Sun, Nov 7, 2010, at 11:18 AM
I totally agree.. Blaming the principal is not the solution. I hope Mr. Wall enforces a no tolerance policy when it comes to bullying and I hope it starts soon. I am just pointing out that we need parents, teachers, children, & bus drivers on board for this to work, and I hope it does.

-- Posted by switzie on Sun, Nov 7, 2010, at 12:41 PM
DRW---I agree with you. Parents, teachers, and the whole community need to get involved. I think it is a sad situation that children need to bully in the first place. Why can't we all get along and strive to make this a better country to live in? When I was in school way back when we had bullys too! I befriended a girl that I went to school with that alot of kids made fun of, Im not saying I was the most popular kid in school but I never got made fun of, anyway this girl didn't have nice clothes and her family could'nt afford the nicer things for her, but you know what--she had a nice personality and was nice to have as a friend. If only those bullys had gotten to know her, she was a very nice girl to know. It hurts a child so badly to be made fun of and there is really no need to do it. So a child has a disability, they can't help the way they are and if they have the courage to attend school, dispite that then I commend them for their efforts. People in this world are different and there is no need to make fun of anyone. I have a husband who is disabled and I married him that way many years ago. He is a great guy but if he were in school today I'm sure someone would make fun of him too. Its just not right!

-- Posted by Scorpio1969 on Sun, Nov 7, 2010, at 5:06 PM
Everyone must remember, bullying is a learned action. Children learn all of their actions from others. Yes I do agree that music and movies sometimes promote violent and or bullying behavior but children learn a vast majority of their behavior from those they spend time with, as in their parents!!! I'm not blaming all bullying on parents but many times when I look at the comments on this website all I can see is bullying. Bullying does not stop when you get out of school. Children are ALWAYS watching!!!

-- Posted by sycamorehistorian on Mon, Nov 8, 2010, at 5:30 PM
Some bullys get what they deserve one way or another. I went to school with a bully that was a big mouth when he had his followers around but otherwise kept his mouth shut when he didn't have a croud of boys around him. He went to Linton one night without his bunch of followers and some boys caught him and nearly beat him to death. I guess he learned what true bullys get in the end. To say I felt sorry for him--NO. A bully is only powerful when they feel big in front of others. And I agree, now days the things you see in the movies and on TV is awful. And kids do learn from watching others. It makes them feel big I guess. By standing around and doing nothing we give these bullys the power they need. I have learned by reading alot of post on many stories published by this paper, our society is FULL of bullys and not all of them are KIDS!

-- Posted by Scorpio1969 on Mon, Nov 8, 2010, at 11:56 PM
Sycamorehistorian I agree completely!

When my son was younger, I wouldn't tolerate him judging other people or making fun of anyone. Parents who look the other way when their kids stare at someone who is different or quietly laugh at someone who is overweight or wears funny glasses or dresses in an odd style or... is just 'teaching' them that it is acceptible.

What seems to be innocent actions as a small child can escalate as they grow. Kids are only in school several hours a day and change teachers every year... They are our children 24 hours a day for their entire lives. Parents need to take responsibility for their children.

-- Posted by RB on Tue, Nov 9, 2010, at 1:26 PM

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