YOUNG SKATER USES KINDNESS TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Sydney Falle is an overachieving 12-year-
old from Michigan. Her passion is skating, but she knows there is much more to life. A 2011 U.S. Junior Championships competitor in ju- venile pairs, and a pre-juvenile singles skater, Sydney knows she has a lot to be thankful for. “I realize that many kids my age don’t have
by LINDSEY WEBER “I HAVE THIS THEORY, THAT IF ONE PERSON CAN GO OUT OF THEIR WAY TO SHOW COMPASSION, THEN IT WILL
the support of their friends and family to take on challenging sports like skating,” she said. “It’s a big commitment and requires lots of time and people helping me get to practice and cheer me on at competitions. It makes me appreciate what I have and makes me want to share that with others.”
Tis is one reason she became involved
in Rachel’s Challenge. Rachel’s Challenge is a program brought into schools by the parents of Rachel Joy Scott, who was the first victim in the April 20, 1999, Columbine High School shoot-
START A CHAIN REACTION OF THE SAME. PEOPLE WILL NEVER KNOW HOW FAR A LITTLE KINDNESS CAN GO.” — RACHEL JOY SCOTT
ings in Colorado. Tis program was created to maintain Rachel’s legacy and teach children to start a chain reaction of kindness. Sydney is on the executive board of the or- ganization at her school. Te group meets every other Tuesday and Sydney makes sure she can attend by rearranging her skating schedule if needed. Some of the projects they have worked on include having a food drive for Haiti disas- ter victims, making blankets for shelters, raising money for leader dogs for the blind and work- ing with other kids at the school, teaching them the importance of kindness. Every year the kids involved with Rachel’s Challenge make a huge banner to hang in the hallway of the school, and each member must sign the banner. Tis is a reminder to all the stu- dents to say or do something kind. Te organization, Sydney said, has helped
her put things in perspective. “I have learned that everyone you meet has challenges that they are dealing with,” she said. “Some kids don’t have anyone to share problems with, and our organization provides them with a way to talk to someone and not feel alone. We work with everyone to provide them an equal chance no matter what their appearance or at- titude.”
While Sydney tries to balance the demands
of a five-day-a-week training schedule and keep- ing up straight A’s at school, she knows she must make time to give back to others less fortunate. “All of the teachers and adults associated with the club have been a big influence on me,” she said. “My parents have also encouraged me to donate to charity. Tis year I participated in a charity that buys people in poor countries farm animals. I saved enough money to donate bees, a trio of rabbits, a flock of chicks and some tree seedlings. I’ve also had great teachers who have taught me the importance of giving back to the community.” Not only has Sydney participated in school organizations, last year she skated in Skate for a Cause, which was a show to raise money for the U.S. Figure Skating Athletes Advisory Commit- tee’s 3A Scholarship Program. I hope that more kids can follow Sydney’s
example and give back to the community or make a difference in someone’s life. To learn more about Rachel’s Challenge, visit the website:
www.rachelschallenge.org.
Sydney Falle explains the purpose of Rachel’s Challenge to her classmates.
Sydney Falle displays her love for skating at a recent competition.
46 FEBRUARY 2012
ATHL E T E corner
ATHLETES ADVISORY COMMITTEE
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