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New magazine inspired by slain student's words
By Holly KurtzDenver Rocky Mountain News Staff Writer
Rachel Scott had never met Austin Wiggins, but she offered him an umbrella last year as he fixed a flat tire in a rainstorm. For more information about subscribing to Rachel's Journal, which is not yet available in stores, write to: The Columbine Redemption 1911 S. Stewart Springfield, MO 65804 Phone: (417) 890-5969 On the Web: www.thecolumbineredemption.com Subscriptions are $24 per year. At Scott's funeral three months later, after her death in the Columbine shootings, Wiggins returned the favor by offering his commitment to Jesus Christ. The Columbine Redemption, a Springfield, Mo., nonprofit organization founded by Scott's family, hopes to continue to spark chain reactions like that one recounted in the first edition of Rachel's Journal. Group members want the magazine to be a vehicle that inspires expressions of faith like those of Rachel Scott. "Sometimes," said Rachel's Journal editor Eric Baker, "we make commitments in the height of emotion, but the next day we say, 'Well, that wasn't that important."' The magazine's first edition, in December, was dedicated to Scott. It offers words of encouragement from Richard Carlson, author of Don't Sweat the Small Stuff, memorials from Rachel's mother, father and brothers and Gloves of Conviction, a short story Rachel's family found in her room after her death. The story recounts Rachel's work in the same sandwich shop where, coincidentally, two Columbine students were slain last month by an unknown killer. In it, Rachel recounts her regret at hesitating to offer a free sandwich to a woman down on her luck. "You lost," Rachel writes."You passed up the chance to gain something ... you just let a wonderful flame past you ... when you do not follow through with the boldness and knowledge I have given you, more than one person is affected by it, you are as well as they." The Scotts hope the magazine will inspire other teens to do as Rachel did. They hope it will be a subscription to healing, a way to ensure Rachel and other Columbine students didn't die in vain. "A part of you was birthed in me to carry out the missions God allowed you to dream and write about," writes Rachel's father, Darrell Scott, who now travels around the nation to speak about his daughter's life. Rachel's name might be on the masthead and her spirit in the mission statement, but the magazine has plenty of space for other Columbine victims. January's edition was a memorial to slain student John Tomlin. The March/February issue was dedicated to teacher Dave Sanders. April's edition will be a one-year anniversary issue about the tragedy, Baker said. And May's magazine will most likely be devoted to Dan Mauser, Baker said. The publication, based in Springfield because administrator and Scott family friend Wayne Worthy lives there, is sent to 5,000 people nationwide. Baker says the magazine has been focusing on April 20 because teens who live far from Colorado still clamor for more information on the victims' bravery and faith in the face of the tragedy. "But I want this magazine to be more than just about that day," said the 40-year-old graphic artist. "A lot has happened since then." Among the things that have happened is Rachel's younger brother Mike's touching testimonial to his sister in the December issue. "Rachel is my little lamb with hurting eyes because she sees this evil world that is blinding her eyes with tears. She was willing to die to make a difference. She is changing the world through her diaries and her family. Her tears and her death are not in vain. God bless our little lamb. I love you Rachel. Your brother, Mike Scott." March 19, 2000
Rachel Scott had never met Austin Wiggins, but she offered him an umbrella last year as he fixed a flat tire in a rainstorm.
For more information about subscribing to Rachel's Journal, which is not yet available in stores, write to:
The Columbine Redemption
1911 S. Stewart
Springfield, MO 65804
Phone: (417) 890-5969
On the Web: www.thecolumbineredemption.com
Subscriptions are $24 per year.
At Scott's funeral three months later, after her death in the Columbine shootings, Wiggins returned the favor by offering his commitment to Jesus Christ.
The Columbine Redemption, a Springfield, Mo., nonprofit organization founded by Scott's family, hopes to continue to spark chain reactions like that one recounted in the first edition of Rachel's Journal.
Group members want the magazine to be a vehicle that inspires expressions of faith like those of Rachel Scott.
"Sometimes," said Rachel's Journal editor Eric Baker, "we make commitments in the height of emotion, but the next day we say, 'Well, that wasn't that important."'
The magazine's first edition, in December, was dedicated to Scott.
It offers words of encouragement from Richard Carlson, author of Don't Sweat the Small Stuff, memorials from Rachel's mother, father and brothers and Gloves of Conviction, a short story Rachel's family found in her room after her death.
The story recounts Rachel's work in the same sandwich shop where, coincidentally, two Columbine students were slain last month by an unknown killer.
In it, Rachel recounts her regret at hesitating to offer a free sandwich to a woman down on her luck.
"You lost," Rachel writes."You passed up the chance to gain something ... you just let a wonderful flame past you ... when you do not follow through with the boldness and knowledge I have given you, more than one person is affected by it, you are as well as they."
The Scotts hope the magazine will inspire other teens to do as Rachel did. They hope it will be a subscription to healing, a way to ensure Rachel and other Columbine students didn't die in vain.
"A part of you was birthed in me to carry out the missions God allowed you to dream and write about," writes Rachel's father, Darrell Scott, who now travels around the nation to speak about his daughter's life.
Rachel's name might be on the masthead and her spirit in the mission statement, but the magazine has plenty of space for other Columbine victims.
January's edition was a memorial to slain student John Tomlin. The March/February issue was dedicated to teacher Dave Sanders. April's edition will be a one-year anniversary issue about the tragedy, Baker said. And May's magazine will most likely be devoted to Dan Mauser, Baker said.
The publication, based in Springfield because administrator and Scott family friend Wayne Worthy lives there, is sent to 5,000 people nationwide. Baker says the magazine has been focusing on April 20 because teens who live far from Colorado still clamor for more information on the victims' bravery and faith in the face of the tragedy.
"But I want this magazine to be more than just about that day," said the 40-year-old graphic artist. "A lot has happened since then."
Among the things that have happened is Rachel's younger brother Mike's touching testimonial to his sister in the December issue.
"Rachel is my little lamb with hurting eyes because she sees this evil world that is blinding her eyes with tears. She was willing to die to make a difference. She is changing the world through her diaries and her family. Her tears and her death are not in vain. God bless our little lamb. I love you Rachel. Your brother, Mike Scott."
March 19, 2000
