In light of yesterday’s post about the teen suicide and other recent deaths at my children’s high school, I’m posting something today that was written by a junior at that very same high school. It’s amazing and hope-inspiring to know that even one child has ALL the answers to how to create change in their small world –as well as in our greater world. The note is well worth reading, and it is imperative that not only the students but the adults — everywhere — take the advice.
(Note: I have taken out the name of the school and replaced it with “XX.”)
Stay Strong- It is time “XX”, time to realize that our self destructive behavior is finally catching up. Time to realize that every decision we make, every path we follow, every thing we do alters our future. Our happiness is in our hands, our well being is in our hands, and our LIVES are in our hands. Together we must take a stand against dangerous behavior. We must come together not as freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors, but as a family. Through the pain, through the suffering, through the relentless misery that has been cast upon us, we must rise above it all; and prevent it from ever happening again. We are at the age where life should be giving us things, not taking them away. In order to be preventative we must follow guidelines, our whole school must pledge its unwavering support in this cause. A chain is as strong as its weakest link, and we can have absolutely no weak links.
1. There shall be no enemies, only friends
2. There shall be no belittlement of ANYBODY on campus.
3. There shall be no reckless driving going out to lunch
4. There shall be no drunk driving ever.
5. There must be no division between student and parent.
6. There must be a 10 minute period each day of pure reflection with friends
7. There must be unconditional support for each other
8. The upperclassmen must take the underclassmen under there wings.
9. There is no division between faculty and student
10. There must be unconditional acceptance of everybody, black, white, Mexican, gay, straight, Jewish, Christian, ANYONE.
11. There must be time taken out of ones day to talk to their loved ones.
12. There must be no reckless use of alcohol, tobacco, or any other drugs.
13. We must come together once a week as a school and a student speaker must speak about anything on their mind.
14. We must work hard to change, no exceptions.
15. We must involve everybody in everything, seclude no one.
16. We must never hate.
17. We must eliminate jealousy, greed, and any other feelings of hatred.
18. We must protect everyone from all dangerous variables.
19. We must work together to reach a common goal- HAPPINESS
20. We must work together to eliminate a common burden- SADNESS
Our future is in our hands, if we do not grasp on to it now, we will lose it forever.Stay Strong “XX” High School
We Are In This Together.
“You Must Be The Change You Wish To See In The World” – Ghandi
