Local students write letters to shooting victims from Florida school

PHILADELPHIA (WTXF) - When the nation was rocked by the Columbine High School shooting nearly 19 years ago, a powerful non-profit was born.

After the attack, many students reached out to the family of Rachel Joy Scott, the first person killed in the attack, to share stories about the profound impact her acts of kindness had on their lives.

Realizing the transformational effect of Rachel's story, her family kickstarted the non-profit organization now known as Rachel's Challenge.

Now, in the wake of the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida that left 17 dead, a younger generation of students is learning about the movement.

Inspired by Rachel's Challenge, the principal at Lindley Academy Charter School at Birney urged his young scholars to write letters to the students at Stoneman Douglas.

A few of those local students joined Good Day Weekend to share their thoughts on the tragedy and how their letter-writing campaign has brought hope and healing.