RUSTON, La. (KNOE 8 News) - An audience, mostly of parents, are learning ways to help end a growing national problem, school bullying.
"I know people who were impacted directly in the Columbine Shootings," Presenter Grant Bubser said.
That motivated Gubser to travel around the nation talking about one of those victims, a teen, Rachel Joy Scott. On April 20, 1999, two high school seniors took the lives of 12 students and a teacher at Columbine High School in Colorado.
Rachel was the first shot, on the lawn, outside the school. Her death and attitude in life prompted relatives and friends to start Rachel's Challenge.
So far, school leaders and parents at Cedar Creek School say it could be life changing.
"This is a very unique program that just focuses on positiveness and kindness," head of School Andrew Yepson said.
While in high school, Rachel once said she wanted to change the world. Now program leaders are hoping to empower faculty, parents, and students to make those changes.
"I have seen students get really excited about it and I'm sure this school is going to take Rachel's Challenge and run with it," Gubser said.
Dozens were treated to a series of short videos, showing her drawings, and writings from her notebooks to help draw out the ways to end any type of school violence. Yepson says he's going to challenge other school districts to take on this program.
"I would like Rachel's challenge to move throughout North Louisiana," Yepson.
And the main speaker says this day, 9/11, couldn't have been a better day to begin the program.
"And today really is an appropriate day to share Rachel's story because her story of kindness and compassion is one that everybody needs," the speaker said.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 2:01 PM EDT2013-06-18 18:01:27 GMT
MONROE, La. (KNOE 8 News) - Monroe Police and Ouachita Parish Deputies continue to investigate multiple shootings, a murder and a weekend stabbing in the parish.
MONROE, La. (KNOE 8 News) - Monroe Police and Ouachita Parish Deputies continue to investigate multiple shootings, a murder and a weekend stabbing in the parish.
Wednesday, April 3 2013 3:18 PM EDT2013-04-03 19:18:47 GMT
UPDATE: KNOE 8 News has learned an account to assist the family of Wednesday morning's double fatal fire has been established Ouachita Independent Bank.
UPDATE: KNOE 8 News has learned an account to assist the family of Wednesday morning's double fatal fire has been established Ouachita Independent Bank.
State and local police spent hours at the home of New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez on Tuesday night as another group of officers searched an industrial park about a mile away where a body was discovered...
State and local police spent hours at the home of New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez on Tuesday night as another group of officers searched an industrial park about a mile away where a body was discovered the day...
The Jefferson Economic development Commission says it has revamped its policies after questions emerged in 2012 about its executive director's residency, expense filings and use of email for political purposes.
The Jefferson Economic development Commission says it has revamped its policies after questions emerged in 2012 about its executive director's residency, expense filings and use of email for political purposes.
