“It’s not fair you died too young
Like a story that just begun
The death tore the pages all away.”
-Kenny Chesney
We are approaching half the year of 2022, and there have already been 27 school shootings.
On May 24, 2022, 19 children and 2 adults were killed and 16 injured in a shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, TX. This was the deadliest school shooting since Sandy Hook Elementary School Shooting in 2012.
We are quickly becoming a society where school shootings are a common crime. Correction, we are a society where school shootings are common. Since 1999, the average age of a school shooter has been 16. Sixteen years old. Sixteen years old and gunning down children and teachers. While I don’t have the answers, I have to presume that something is going on with our young ones. They are slipping through the cracks of counseling and friendship and someone that cares.
Sandy Hook Elementary has a website that prompts others to Make the Promise. The Promise to turn the conversation into action. The Promise to protect children from gun violence and to make our communities and nation a safer and better place. There are now verified facts on how to prevent and stop school shootings. Almost all school shooters share threatening messages. Bystanders must see these signs and report them to a trusted adult. The following list is from sandyhookpromise.org.
9 Critical Warning Signs of Violence
Here is our list of nine potential warning signs* that can signal an individual may be in crisis or need help:
1. Suddenly withdrawing from friends, family and activities (including online or via social media)
2. Bullying, especially if targeted towards differences in race, religion, gender or sexual orientation
3. Excessive irritability, lack of patience, or becoming angry quickly
4. Experiencing chronic loneliness or social isolation
5. Expressing persistent thoughts of harming themselves or someone else
6. Making direct threats toward a place, another person, or themselves
7. Bragging about access to guns or weapons
8. Recruiting accomplices or audiences for an attack
9. Directly expressing a threat as a plan
* NOTE: This isn’t a complete list of all warning signs. Exhibiting one of these signs doesn’t necessarily indicate imminent violence. When concerned about troubling behaviors, tell a trusted adult or call 911 if there is an immediate threat.
Summerana instructor Susan Hamel created this image out of despair. However, the optimism of her son helped her to remember that we can be there for others and do good. These butterflies portray the shining souls of the 21 victims in the Robb Elementary School shooting. This is a poster print that is offered for purchase where all the proceeds go to the Robb Elementary School Memorial Fund. Please contact Susan Hamel directly to purchase the print and make your contribution to the survivors at Robb Elementary School. Any amount you can manage is accepted, or you can donate directly to Robb School Memorial Fund at 200 E. Nopal St. Uvalde, TX. 78801. We are all in this world together, and it’s not about “me;” it’s about “we.” (Anthony Robbins)
