On April 20, 1999, the American conscience was seared as millions of heartbroken citizens watched the unthinkable stream across their TV screens.
Two students walked into my school, Columbine High School, and perpetuated pure evil, murdering 12 of my classmates and a brave teacher before killing themselves.
During the ordeal, I was hiding under a library desk, listening as the murderers taunted innocent people, killing at will like it was a game — some dark movie where they were the anti-heroes attempting to teach society a sick and twisted “lesson.”
My heart felt like it would beat out of my chest as the shooters killed my two friends, Matt and Isaiah, right next to me. Isaiah was going to be the first person in his family to graduate; instead, he spent his final moments being called racial slurs. Matt was, without a doubt, one of the nicest guys on the football team.
I thought I was next, but somehow I survived. After the shooters left the room, I remember hearing God clearly tell me, “Get out of there.” It was a calm, peaceful, and powerful voice that forced me to my feet before I somehow mustered the courage to yell to everyone else, “Let’s get out of here!”
We immediately escaped before the killers could return, but 10 of our peers were killed in that library. All of the carnage unfolded in just 7 and a half minutes, but it felt like an eternity. Tragically, my sister, Rachel Joy Scott, was one of the others murdered that day just 30 yards away from where I was hiding.
In Rachel’s final moments, she was taunted for her Christian faith yet had the courage not to deny God, even at gunpoint. Her example of faith, hope, love, and devotion, 25 years later, is still inspiring millions of kids across the globe.
I didn’t realize it at the time, but this event would try to define me for the rest of my life — but I refuse to let it. We are more than the events that happened in our past. After the shooting, however, I was broken but didn’t know it.
I pressed on, learning, growing, and healing along the way.
As I’ve shared my story with thousands of kids and families over the years, I’ve come to find solace in efforts to make lasting change by pointing others to hope, even amid tragedy.
My goal? To change hearts and save lives. And I’ve often looked to Rachel’s example to accomplish this quest. To know Rachel was to love her. With a tilt of her head, she had a smile that could light up a room. After her death, we heard story after story about her small acts of kindness that made a huge difference in others’ lives.
Since Rachel left us, her seven personal journals have given an even deeper lens into her love for God and people.
She was real, authentic, and raw about her struggles. Rachel worked to establish the right belief system — one that would guide her with the faith and values she espoused. Her wisdom surpassed that of a normal 17-year-old, which is why her story has inspired books, a movie, and so much inspiration along the way.
My family and I have been committed to sharing her with the world, using a platform that rose from tragedy to inspire people through the power of story. We travel to schools, address students, and speak out in the media about the root causes of moral decay.
Others who faced the unthinkable at Columbine have also used the event for good. I’m proud of my family, especially my parents Darrell Scott and Beth Nimmo, and my community – people like our principal, Frank DeAngelis, fellow library survivor Patrick Ireland, and other victims’ families and classmates who have made a positive difference out of something horrible.
“Look hard enough…and you’ll always find a light,” Rachel wrote in one journal entry. “Open your eyes to the love that can be.” She added, “Glory only comes when one pursues their dreams.”
Rachel’s writing revealed her compassion, non-judgemental disposition and a forgiving attitude toward others. One month before she died, she wrote an essay for her English class entitled, “My Ethics: My Codes of Life.” In it, she said, “How do you know that trust, compassion or beauty will not make this world a better place?”
Ultimately, what made Rachel stand out was a willingness to be used by God and a selflessness in stepping up and out for others. Rachel’s story has likely prevented around a dozen school shootings and saved thousands from suicide. It’s the very chain reaction of goodness she had wanted to have in her life.
So, as we reflect on the 25th anniversary of Columbine, I must ask: No matter what you face, what kind of chain reaction are you aiming to ignite? That’s a challenge to us all and I’m fortunate enough to have a sister who has shown me the way.
* * *
Craig Scott is a survivor of the Columbine High School shooting. He was in the library, where ten students were killed, including two of his friends that had hidden next to him under a table. Craig escaped only to learn his sister, Rachel Joy Scott, was the first person killed. For more than 20 years, Craig has dedicated his life to making a difference in schools. In speaking with more than a million people, Craig has positively impacted school cultures by sharing lessons learned from Columbine and challenging students to value themselves and others.
Billy Hallowell contributed to this article.
The views expressed in this piece are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of The Daily Wire.