Former football star aims to motivate students as part of Rachel ’ s Challenge
What does it take to be great ? It ’ s the small decisions we make every day , guest speaker Will Merritt told students at Bessemer City High School .
Now a color commentator for ESPN television college football games , the former Clemson University football star encouraged students to take the time to notice and care about each other . His talk was part of “ Rachel ’ s Challenge ,” a national anti-bullying initiative now in its fifth year in Gaston County Schools .
Will Merritt held a great discussion with students at Bessemer City High School “ You can ’ t change the world overnight , but you can be great for each other for one day at a time ,” Merritt said .
Over the next several weeks , each one of Gaston County ’ s middle and high schools is hosting a guest speaker to kick off the Rachel ’ s
Challenge program . The program encourages students to “ start a chain reaction ” of compassion in their schools by looking for the best in others , choosing positive influences and acting with kindness . It
Will Merritt , a former Clemson University football star who now works as a color commentator for ESPN television college football games , talks to students at Bessemer City High School as part of the Rachel ’ s Challenge program in Gaston County Schools .
developed from the inspiring story of Rachel Scott , the first victim of the Columbine High School shooting in 1999 .
“ The goal really is to start off the school year with a positive message ; to get them really thinking about setting a tone for the year ,” said Ami Parker , director of counseling services for Gaston County Schools , who coordinates Rachel ’ s Challenge for the district .
Merritt focused on that theme in his talk , which included stories from his time playing football at Clemson .
“ What happens if an entire school decides , ‘ I want you to remember me for the way I cared for you ?’,” he asked . “ You have to be inspired , you have to want to do it .”
Merritt encouraged students to reach out to others who need help .
“ Rachel was great every day . She didn ’ t think about herself , she thought about others and thought about ways to love them ,” he said . “ What does it mean to be great ? When everyone else is on Snapchat talking about someone else , you ’ re not on there .”
All 54 elementary , middle and high schools participate in the Rachel ’ s Challenge program , which includes character education lessons throughout the year and “ Friends of Rachel ” clubs that aim to create a culture of kindness and compassion in the school .
“ Rachel was trying to start this positive chain reaction by being kind to everyone she meets -- new students , students who have been bullied , students who have disabilities -- she always worked to befriend and be an advocate for them ,” Parker said . “ We get a lot of positive feedback after these assemblies . It sets a really great stage for character education activities through the rest of the year .”
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Rachel ’ s Challenge in Gaston County Schools
When Gaston County Schools launched Rachel ’ s Challenge in 2012 , it became the first district on the East Coast to adopt the program for every school and grade level . At the beginning of each year , the district brings in several motivational speakers to encourage students to live out Rachel ’ s Challenge . This year , Merritt is joined by three other speakers :
● Darryl Colbert is an investigator with the Office of the U . S . Attorney General and a Fellowship of Christian Athletes character coach for the University of Maryland ’ s wrestling team .
● Dr . Joel Freeman served for 20 years as chaplain for the NBA Washington Bullets / Wizards and is the author of seven best-selling books .
● Patricia Hollowell is the director of women ’ s ministries and campus representative for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes at the University of Maryland , and a former two-sport collegiate athlete .
6 • November / December 2016 • Parent Teacher News