Rachel Joy Scott was an American student who was killed in the 1999 Columbine High School shooting, along with 11 other students and a teacher.
It was done by two gunmen who were also students at the school.
Rachel Joy Scott
Rachel Joy Scott was born in August 1982 in Denver, Colorado. She was the middle child in a family of five, with two elder sisters, Bethanee and Dana, and two younger brothers, Craig and Mike.
Early on, Rachel discovered the impact that honest comments and deeds of kindness can have. She intentionally made contact with three groups of people in high school, and she documented the experience in her diary.
She wrote, “I want to reach out to those with special needs because they are often overlooked. I want to reach out to those who are new in school because they don’t have any friends yet. And I want to reach out to those who are picked on or put down by others.”
Sadly, she was taken too soon.
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The Shooting
Rachel Joy Scott was a passionate Christian teen who was not hesitant to share her faith with others or discuss it openly in class. But her name suffered as a result of doing so. She experienced discrimination, betrayal, and challenges typical of high school students. She did, however, have a deep love for God. Her daily testimonies are recorded in her diaries.
Rachel saw Eric and Dylan, the shooters, three weeks before the incident. They experienced bullying, were rejected, and had a few friends, but Rachel realized that all they needed was Jesus. Sadly, they were blinded by hate and even produced insulting videos of her Christian beliefs.
Speaking the Name of Jesus
But Rachel stood her ground. She wrote, “I have no more personal friends at school, but you know what? I am not going to apologize for speaking the name of Jesus. I am not going to justify my faith to them, and I am not going to hide the light that God has put into me. If I have to sacrifice everything I will. I will take it. If my friends have to become my enemies for me to be with my best friend Jesus, then that’s fine with me.”
Rachel was the first victim shot on the school’s grounds the day of the shooting. She was shot once in the back and again in the legs by Dylan and Eric. The boys left but soon came back when they realized she was still alive. “Do you still believe in your God?” Dylan asked, grabbing her by the hair.
“You know I do.”
Eric then told her, “Then go be with him,” and he shot her in the head.
Rachel Joy Scott’s Legacy
Because of her story, millions were inspired to stand firm and defend their faith. Many know about the fatal shooting, but only a few know about the incredible person whose unwavering faith in God touched millions of lives.
Rachel looked like an ordinary girl. But it was only after her death that testimonies were spread about what she did. She didn’t know that her story prevented bullying, helped save others from self-harm and suicide, and even prevented gun violence in some schools. That’s the legacy of her story.
May the name of Jesus be glorified as Rachel’s story continues on.
Header image: Rachel Joy Scott [Rachel’s Challenge]. Website, 1999, https://rachelschallenge.org/our-story/about-rachel/#down
Reference: Rachel’s Challenge, To Save a Life