Bullying and suicide are topics that are always talked about
on television and online. However, both
of these subjects have impacted students and staff at Tippecanoe Valley High
School greatly. In the 2012-2013 school
year, the school corporation grieved the loss of three students and two faculty
members. However, juniors Michael
Thacker and Deontee Smith are working to bring a program called Rachel’s
Challenge to the community.
According
to www.rachelschallenge.org, the
program “equips students and adults to create and sustain safe, caring and
supportive learning environments essential for academic achievement.” Rachel’s Challenge is “based on the writings
and life of 17-year-old Rachel Scott who was the first student killed at
Columbine High School in 1999.” The website
also states that in the last three years, Rachel’s Challenge has received five
hundred emails from students who, after hearing Rachel’s story, reached out for
help because they were considering suicide.
Thacker and Smith believe that the program would be effective in
preventing both bullying and suicide.
In order
to bring the program to Tippecanoe Valley School Corporation, both Thacker and
Smith have been working to raise money.
Rachel’s Challenge costs approximately $5,000, but this goal is very
close to being reached.
