Rachel's Challenge-In memory of Rachel Joy Scott

Rachel Scott was the first person killed at Columbine High School on April 20, 1999. Her acts of kindness and compassion and her six diaries have become one of the most life-changing school programs in America. She had a theory that if one person showed an act of kindness && compassion that others would follow, and that would start a chain reaction.  

The image to the right is a photograph taken of the back of one of Rachel's old pieces of furniture. Rachel had a habit of writing in unusual places throughout her life.She traced her hands and wrote: "These hands belong to Rachel Joy Scott and will some day touch millions of people's hearts." She went out of her way to make other peole feel accepted and had a dream to change the world. Years after the shooting people still remember her && the kindness she showed to people. she liked to write poetry but before she died her poetry turned dark and in her last diary on the last page she wrote she drew a picture of an eye crying 13 tears && a dying flower. I find it wierd because 13 people died in the shooting. 12 students && 1 teacher. I think Rachel had something amazing, a gift, something to live for. but her life was cut short. she somehow knew she was going to die at a young age and she did. Even though she is no longer with us she has made a huge impact on peoples lives. Thank ou Rachel. For more information on Rachel and Rachel's Challenge check out the website.

Teenager hangs herself after becoming obsessed with "emo suicide"

Hannah Bond was a 13 year old girl. She was like any other teenager except that when she became emo...her world changed.  She became addicted to the emo fashion && music. Black eyeliner && screamo music(AfI, My Chemical Romance, etc.). after becomming emo Hannah hung herself from her bunk bed with a tie not long after her father discovered the deep cuts in her wrist, she said it was part of the style. Two weeks before her death, she started following U.S. band My Chemical Romance. One of their songs contain the lyrics "although your dead and gone, believe me your memory will go on"Which for her is true...her memory will live on...what happened made people realize the effects of the emo culture && the music the bands produce...so should you let you child listen to it? or is it their way of staying alive?

Nicotine is considered the number one entrance drug into other substance abuse problems. Research shows that teens between 13 and 17 years of age who smoke daily are more likely to use other drug substances. The use of other drugs is part of the peer pressure that our children have to face. The earlier that our youth begin using tobacco, the more likely they will continue using into adulthood.
Why is tobacco so addicting? It is because nicotine acts as a stimulant, which is stimulating the mind, body, and spirit. When the body tolerance levels high then one ends up needing to use larger doses of nicotine to maintain a certain level of the physiological effect. When the body becomes accustomed to the presence of nicotine, it then requires the use of the chemical to help the body to function normally. This level of dependence is
                                                                                      referred to as an addiction.



Here are some common experiences from teens who smoke.



♣ They tried their first cigarette in sixth or seventh grade

♣ They often do not perform well in school

♣ They feel like they are not a part of the school

♣ They become isolated from other students

♣ They can’t perform as well at sports events

♣ They feel like they have little hope of going to college

♣ They feel like they need a job to support their smoking habit

♣ They are reported to school officials for skipping classes

♣ They start using other illegal substances

♣ They begin experimenting with alcohol and other drugs

♣ They experience pressure from home and school and use tobacco as a form of relief

♣ Teen smokers enjoy trying to hide their smoking

This has made school more fun for some tobacco users. These types of behaviors get attention because the initiation of smoking is influenced by having a friend, particularly a best friend, who smokes. The risk factors do not apply because those who are young think that they are indispensable. The peers who use or have favorable attitudes toward tobacco use are more likely to use other illegal substances. On the other hand, if the teen becomes a member of a pro-social group, such as those participating in sports, cheerleading, or any club that promotes healthy living, the likelihood that the teen will attempt to stop smoking improves.

Cutters~an experience

Teen self-injury, self-mutilation or cutting can be overcome, but the problems causing a teen to self-injure or self-mutilate, such as cutting, need to be resolved and the teen must learn healthier ways to deal with emotions. Some of the reasons teens give for self-injuring or self mutilating include:

• Not knowing how to deal with stress

• An unresolved history of abuse

• Low self esteem

• Feelings of loneliness or fear

• A need to feel in control

• Mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, or obsessive-compulsive disorder

• Wanting to get the attention of people who can help them

• Peer pressure/curiosity

Teen self-injury or self-mutilation is dangerous, especially cutting, leaving physical and emotional scars and sometimes leading to serious injury or death. Though teen self-injury or self-mutilation is not a suicide attempt, some teens who self-injure or self-mutilate also attempt suicide, and many engage in other risky behaviors such as drinking and drug use, or suffer from eating disorders associated with troubled teens. Because teens who self-injure or self-mutilate often do not know how to ask for help, it is important to watch for some of these signs that a teen may be harming him or herself, or is at risk for doing so:

 

 

 

• Unexplained injuries, such as cuts, scratches, burns, bruises, etc.

• Making excuses for injuries or scars if they are discovered

• Acting embarrassed or ashamed about injuries

• Wearing long sleeves even in hot weather

• Secretiveness or withdrawal

• Having trouble dealing with emotions

• Spending time with people who self-injure, especially on the internet

• A history of eating disorders

• Having trouble functioning at work, school, and in relationships

• Low self esteem

 

Self-injury and self-mutilation is often addictive, and can become increasingly serious. It is possible for a teen to stop, but it usually requires help. I never got help && i hit rock bottom...but after a while i realized that i could deal with what was going on. all the pain && hate...i dealt with....but it was harder than you could imagine