PINETOWN — The story of Rachel Scott, one of the students killed in the 1999 Columbine High School shooting, has inspired a Northeast Elementary School student to pass on Rachel’s legacy of kindness.

Eighth-grader Bailey Dana came up with the idea for a paper chain of kindness, hung along the hallways of Northeast. On gray paper, students write a kind act someone did for them, and on blue paper, they write a kind act they did for someone in return.

“I wanted to do something kind because of the Rachel’s Challenge thing. It touched me,” Dana said. “I love seeing what they write.”

Principal Mark Clinkscales said he is impressed with how Dana brought this idea to fruition. She’s had some help from fellow eighth-graders Jordan Dail, Conner Benson and twin sister Reagan Dana.

Every morning, students and staff can contribute chain links, and then they are added to the lines of chain already in place. The total distance around the school is about a mile, according to Clinkscales. Reports of acts of kindness have ranged from holding the door to expressing love to a parent.

“I just thought it was inspiring how she didn’t let anyone get her down,” Reagan Dana said of Rachel.

“It rubs off on all the kids across the board,” Clinkscales said. “I think it’s really good that Bailey came up with the idea and ran with it.”

Once the chain is completed, students will then vote on an embarrassing activity for Clinkscales, whether it’s eating a chocolate-covered cockroach, spending the night on the football field or being duct-taped to the flagpole.

Clinkscales said he is happy to do it if the students are encouraged to spread kindness and participate in the chain project.

For Bailey Dana, it’s a simple way to spread positivity, and it’s a way to honor Rachel’s life.

“It doesn’t take anything to be kind. It’s like breathing,” Dana said.