My 16 year old daughters letter to the Editor got published in our major paper today! No more fear! [View all]

No more fear

EDITOR: I am a student at Santa Rosa High School, and after the recent shootings I am not only infuriated but also terrified. Before the shooting, my biggest fears in school were failing a math test or studying for the SAT. From now on, I will be hesitant to leave the classroom in case I need to take cover from a bullet.

When I hear a loud bang, I assume it’s a gunshot rather than a student dumping out a recycling bin. I hate living in fear for my life when I step onto campus. I am done worrying if today will be the last day I see my best friend before she is shot. I am done worrying about the 2,000-plus lives of students and faculty on a daily basis and whether they will be here tomorrow.


No child should have to live with these fears. No teacher should have to worry about whether he or she will need to shield students from bullets. And no parent should have to worry whether their child will be home for dinner that night.

This is an unacceptable way to live, and we want change. We want it now.