Aftermath of School Shootings by Rana

Aftermath of School Shootings by Rana - March 2023 Scholarship Essay

Hearing about the Uvalde shooting, my eyes widened, and my heart sank. My mind flashed back to the Sandy Hook shooting. The anxiety I experienced in 2012 was reviving.

I attended an open forum for students and staff to voice their thoughts and feelings about school shootings in the United States. As a student finished, another named Joey stood up with calm certainty and said, "How many times is this going to happen? I shouldn't have to tell my mom I love her before getting on the bus thinking my school is next." The memory of her words echoes through my mind even to this day.

After the open forum, I held a short inspiring conversation with Joey, who comes from a different background. It opened my eyes to how these horrific tragedies affect many people. We discussed ways to ease everyone's fears and make them comfortable. It was her interaction that encouraged me to take action against gun violence. Through countless discussions with other students, I realized many felt the same: angry and frightened. As a result, I invited the principal to participate in a forum and influenced him to enforce locks on side doors, drills, and bulletproof windows. Without Joey's inspiration, I wouldn't have the courage to start a movement.

Seeing how even students like Joey and I can make a difference shocked me, and I felt proud to know that changes are underway. Joey inspired me to take action on an issue I am passionate about.