Rachel Scott, a high school junior, told her friends she’d be famous one day. But she also said she knew she would die young.

Scott’s predictions came true when she was the first one killed in the Columbine High School shootings on April 20, 1999.

After her death, her family created the largest school assembly program in the nation, which conveys one simple challenge: Treat others with kindness and compassion.

The Simi Valley ParentTeacher Association and the Parent-Teacher-Student Association are sponsoring the “Rachel’s Challenge” assembly at 6:30 p.m. Tues., March 23 at Simi Valley High School.

The presentation juxtaposes video made by the two shooters before their deadly actions with video of Rachel’s journals and other writings.

The program focuses on an essay Rachel wrote weeks before her death, which her dad found under her mattress.

“I have this theory that if one person can go out of their way to show compassion, then it will start a chain reaction of the same,” the essay reads. “People will never know how far a little kindness will go.”

Brandie Orozco, a friend of the Scott family, said Rachel would want the focus to be on making a change.

“She’d say, ‘Don’t put me on a pedestal,’” Orozco said in a press release. “She’d say she’s had her ups and downs and made mistakes, that she hasn’t done anything too special. She’d never traveled out of the country; she was never in the newspaper and never met anyone famous. For her, it was all about small acts of kindness.” 

Supporters of Rachel’s Challenge include Bill Clinton, Elton John and Oprah Winfrey. More than 30 books have been written about Rachel, and a motion picture is planned.

All middle and high school students are encouraged to attend the event with their parents. Due to the sensitivity of the subject matter, elementary school parents may want to attend without their children.

For more information, visit www.rachelschallenge.com.