By: Kate Schilling
Eighth grade students joined the high school last Monday when students attended a
special assembly with Craig Scott in Harriss Gymnasium.
“Our student body was honored to welcome national speaker Craig Scott to share his
powerful message. His story of resilience and hope inspired everyone to make a positive impact
in the lives of others,” teacher Courtney Ibendahl said.
Scott lost his sister Rachel in the Columbine High School shooting and is now sharing the
story of her life with others.
For the last 25 years, Scott has used his storytelling to promote positive school culture.
He has been featured on The Today Show, The Oprah Winfrey Show, Good Morning American,
and several other shows.
Scott's sister’s main goal was to touch the lives of others, and Scott is continuing this goal
in her honor.
He spoke about traveling to Africa during the summer of his senior year in place of his
sister. When he arrived home from the third-world country, he said his heaviness from the loss
of his friends and sister was lifted.
“Forgiveness is like setting a prisoner free and finding out that prisoner is you,” said
Scott.
He captured the truth about the nature of forgiveness and its effect on the person doing
the forgiving.
Donations from the several school organizations made Scott’s visit possible.
Carlyle High School National Honor Society, FBLA, FFA, and Student Council teamed
up with Carlyle Junior High Peer Helpers and Student Council to help the School Spirit Team
and the Social Emotional Learning fund to bring Scott to the school.