Students from all the elementary schools as well as R. D. Parker Collegiate in Thompson walked to MacLean Park at City Hall on June 3 to celebrate the work they've done throughout the school year with the Rachel's Challenge program.
Rachel's Challenge is a North American school-wide initiative outreach program that looks to prevent violence and promote kindness, named after Rachel Scott, the first victim of the high school shooting which took place on April 20, 1999 at Columbine High School in Columbine, Colo.
Students throughout the School District of Mystery Lake have been doing their part to promote Rachel's Challenge through random acts of kindness, like bringing food to the homeless shelter and giving cards to the janitorial staff and secretaries at their schools. Students from Westwood School even raised enough money for a school to be built in Africa, and are planning on raising money for a clean water well to be built nearby, as well.
Mayor Tim Johnston says he's very impressed with the amount of signatures proclaiming which students had accepted Rachel's Challenge that were written on banners the students unfurled at MacLean Park.
"I'm extremely proud of all of you because truly what makes a community is how much people put into it, and nothing says more about a sense of pride than acts of kindness and compassion to others in the community," Johnston said to the students assembled.
Cree elder Jack Robinson was also on hand at the ceremony to say an opening and closing prayer and to congratulate the students for their hard work and dedication.
"I am very proud today to be part of Thompson. There are wonderful young people here. We hear so much about young people not having respect, but I don't believe that, because I see it every day," Robinson said. "You should be very proud of yourselves for what you are doing and the love that you have shown."
Oswald Sawh, deputy mayor, shared Johnston's and Robinson's sentiments, telling the students that he hopes to see them continue on with the work of Rachel's Challenge and assuring them that the entire City of Thompson stood behind them.
The students gathered at the ceremony said they plan to continue on with Rachel's Challenge and hope to see the program in place in schools in Thompson for many years to come.
