Schools to Participate in Programs to Enhance Student Behavior through Character Education and Anti-Bullying Awareness

Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler announced on Tuesday, October 15, 2019, that his Office will be sponsoring three programs from Rachel’s Challenge at area schools. On October 16, 2019, the District Attorney’s Office will sponsor The Uncommon Athlete, a program of Rachel’s Challenge and the Cal Ripken, Sr., Foundation, at Newburgh Free Academy. In addition, on October 17, 2019, the Office will sponsor two session of Rachel’s Challenge in the Highland Falls-Fort Montgomery Central School District, one each at James I. O’Neill High School and Highland Falls Intermediate School. The events will continue the success of Rachel’s Challenge programs that District Attorney Hoovler has sponsored in Orange County during the last four years. To date, the District Attorney has sponsored presentations of Rachel’s Challenge and The Uncommon Athlete more than fifteen times at area schools, presentations that have involved more than 4,500 students.

Rachel’s Challenge is the legacy of Rachel Scott, the first person to be killed at Columbine High School in 1999. After her death, many students shared stories with her parents about the positive impact Rachel’s acts of kindness had on the students’ lives, prompting the Scotts to establish the non-profit organization, Rachel’s Challenge. Rachel’s Challenge seeks to inspire students to act for positive change in their schools and their communities.

The Uncommon Athlete is designed to bring to student athletes some tools that they can use to make themselves not only better athletes, but better citizens, and to help them to realize their potential as future leaders of our communities. The program impresses on young athletes the values of Perseverance, Relationships, Integrity, Courage, and Empathy, summarized in the acronym “PRICE.”

“Schools are supposed to be institutions of education,” said District Attorney Hoovler, “places where our children learn and grow into responsible adults. Unfortunately, too often schools become places where students are bullied, or assaulted, or worse. The programs of Rachel’s Challenge are designed to change the environment in schools, making them into the institutions that we need them to be. I’m proud to sponsor Rachel’s Challenge programs in our schools, so we can bring the organization’s positive message to our children whenever possible.”

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