Being a teenager is stressful enough; trying to figure out who you are and who you want to be, applying to colleges, and deciding your career path all while trying to get that essay in at midnight. On top of that, many students go to school fearing that they and their classmates will be the next headline.
I was 10 when I first learned what a school shooting was. It was a normal day of school; I was in math learning long division and I got pulled out and told I was leaving early. I left the building and was bombarded with hugs from my mom and great-grandma. They later explained to me that a gunman opened fire in an elementary school only 45 minutes away. It’s been eight years since the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary and my school still undergoes monthly lockdown drills, which served mostly to remind me that my school could be next. Almost every kid my age can tell you of a shooting threat at their school. But this should not be normal. The fear I saw in a classmate’s eyes the day we experienced our first shooting threat was unlike anything I had ever seen before. Many of us were contemplating leaving early and ensuring their safety or to risk it and make it to class in time for their test. I felt helpless — what could I do to protect my friends and teachers? I looked for answers and for actions I could take, and I found several clubs at my school working on issues that mattered to young people, including gun safety laws. I’d never planned on getting involved in politics, it always seemed like it was for “old people.” Like many other teens, I became involved out of necessity. I knew I had to learn and do everything I could to make sure this never happens again. Continue reading I don’t want to be the next headline
