To the Editor:

I attended the presentation of Rachel’s Challenge to the Toll Gate High School’s junior and senior auditorium session on March 20. The program was given by Craig Scott, whose beloved sister Rachel was the first student killed during the shootings at Columbine High School in Colorado on April 20, 1999. His dedication was to instill kindness, compassion and positive thinking to the hundreds of students, faculty and guests who attended.

Mayor Scott Avedisian’s meaningful opening remarks set the stage for Craig’s one-and-a-quarter-hour heartbreaking and, at times, humorous talk, aided by graphic and enduring film clips. He could hear the silence of the audience as they were being emotionally affected. At the end, the standing ovation showed respect and appreciation for the sincere, articulate and caring young brother of Rachel. His plea for compassion must be given meaning.

I was even more proud of our Toll Gate students.

Eugene Nadeau

Warwick School Committeeman