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How has SAVE Made A Difference In Someone's Life?
A Day at School Gone Wrong..
"When I was in middle school I had a really hard time adapting to the middle school ways. I had just transferred in to this particular
school district and I did not have a friend what so ever. So when the first day of school came around I was really nervous and scared.
While at school on the first day, I did not talk to a single soul. I did not play or talk or hang out with anyone. I think that really
hurt me because when I returned to school the next day everyone in my classes decided that they wanted to pick on me. Well I said to myself that I
could handle the picking part as long as no one decided to beat me up or try to harm me. Well a few months went by and the name calling still went on,
but something new was added to the fire. An older boy in the eighth grade decided that he was going to threaten me and try to beat me up. I was scared
and I did not go anywhere in the school except to my classes and to the lunch room. I would not go to the bathroom or do errands or walk down the
halls unless absolutely necessary. I was so scared that I did not tell anyone. I was scared that if I told someone, that I would get hurt even
more. Here I was, this little sixth grader and here was this big tall eighth grader. As the school year went on, so did the name calling and this eighth
grader threatening to beat me up. I decided that I had had enough and I was going to do something about this problem, so I tried standing up for myself
the next time he came around to threaten me. Well that was exactly what I did and I kind of got my feelings hurt. He really got nasty that time
because he had his friends with him and I was out numbered.
I really got tired of the problem that I had because I was literally scared to go to school. Late in the school year I decided that I was going to tell someone about the problem that I was having. Well I thought that I had only told one person, a teacher, but some how it got out that I had went and told on the boy that was threatening me. There was a rumor going around that he was planning to beat me up after school by the buses. Well I got really scared that this was going to happen, so I asked a teacher to walk with me so they could see what I was talking about. Sure enough as soon as I walked out the door there he was waiting for me. He charged at me, the only thing that saved me was that teacher walking out with me.
Looking back, I realized I should have asked for assistance early in the year. By remaining silent and bottling things up, my life could have potentially been harmed. If you have someone threatening to beat you up or kill you, or anything even close to that go and get help immediately. I learned that it is better to tell someone at the beginning then to wait until you are about to be pulverized by a giant. ~ Michael Register, Farmville High School, Greenville
'I discovered my ability to make a positive difference'...
"My name is Gerard Wheeler, and I proudly served as the 2004-05 National Students Against Violence Everywhere (SAVE ) Youth Advisory Board Chair and currently serve as a SAVE ambassador. From a very early age, I have experienced the pain of violence. My mother and I were both victims of domestic violence, and as a young victim, I was left vulnerable to harassment and bullying at school. Violence was all I knew. In turn, I bullied others to protect myself.
In my freshman year of high school I applied to and was accepted by Highland School of Technology (HST). At HST, I found himself in a completely different environment. Suddenly it was "cool" not to be tough. I began to make friends with students who shared my interests and believed in my abilities. I learned about the tragic death of Alex Orange and how his memory created a movement of peace and hope: Students Against Violence Everywhere.
Thankfully, my school had a SAVE chapter, which allowed me to see that I did not have to be a victim in the classroom: I had a choice. I discovered my ability to make a positive difference, and I continue spreading that message today.
Whether I am helping elementary school students learn to deal with bullies, training middle school students to handle conflicts, or sharing information on dating and relationship violence with high school students, I know that I am making a difference, one young person at a time, and that feels good. I am studying psychology at North Carolina A& T State University, and continue to spread the message about non-violence. ~ Gerard Wheeler, NCAT, Greensboro
Stand Out and Be Different....
When you are from a small town, it is only natural that there is at least one person acquainted with the whole
family. No matter who the person, I was always told to stand out and to be different. With my family by my side, they provided me
with everything that I needed in order to succeed in both school and life. Each time an opportunity came around, I would take
advantage of it, and always do my best. In school, many of my teachers recognized my efforts and seen that I was trying to
accomplish something.
The whole time that my efforts were getting me praise at home, it was making me an easy target for my peers. I used to
dread standing at the bus stop, because I would constantly get picked on. If only they knew how I felt inside, I doubt
that they would have continued to pick at me. Emotionally, I was breaking down, and even doubting myself to certain
extents. It hurt, hearing all the names that they had for me, what they thought about me, the constant laughing, and
much more. For a long time, I thought that it was my fault; I thought that I was doing something wrong. But, that was
not the case. The only thing that I did do wrong was not telling someone what was going on. The picking continued, and
I got more and more aggravated. The more aggravated that I got, the more those emotions worked up into a temper. My
temper grew to where it would get the best of me at times, and I would not realize how bad it really was.
When one of my teachers realized the potentials of my temper she referred me to the guidance counselor. It seemed to be
easy for me to keep my feelings bottled up, until she asked me one simple question… “Do you need to talk?” and I burst
into tears, at that moment I realized that I could not hide the hurt any longer. She also said that anytime that I needed to
come and talk that she would be there for me. It was hard talking to her, but she told me that the only way that she could
help me if I were able to talk. A few years later, that counselor left my elementary school and I did not hear from her or
hear anything from her again.
Before going to the counselor, I had already gotten into one fight; with two boys who made some unnecessary comments about my
mother. I had enough of everything that people had to say, so I decided to do something about it. I did not know what else to do,
but hit one and then the other.
Not that much longer after the counselor had left, I got into another fight with one of the boys from the previous fight. This
time we fought in our neighborhood. Once again, I could not take it anymore, so after he threw the first punch. We started
rumbling until one of the ladies in our neighborhood broke up the fight. After one more year in elementary things were going
good, I was realizing that I could not worry about what people said. It really didn’t sink in until later in life.
At the time that I entered middle school, I was excited and tried to wipe the slate clean. However, there are some people that
try to get the best of you. The fight I had in seventh grade was the last one. I did not start that fight, had nothing to do
with it, until some so-called friends of mine put me in it. I finally got so fed up that I began looking for new friends. I was
tired of being with negative people, who did nothing but bring me down.
After changing friends, thing began to look up for me. For the most part I went back to my original ways… good grades, good
behavior, etc…before long it was time to go to high school.
My freshman year I was introduced to Students Against Violence Everywhere (SAVE ). The whole school took time out of our homeroom class to watch a video. The video explained the history of SAVE and where it all began. There were teachers and some faculty members that were trying to establish a SAVE chapter and wanted it to be known within the school. The story of SAVE and Alex Orange hit me in an unusual way, because I was so close to where it all started.
My sophomore year I transferred to a different high school. I did not get involved with SAVE until one of my friends invited me to one of the meetings. At that moment I took the opportunity to stand up against violence. We made a name for us, and began to get involved in everything the community had to offer.
My junior year, I became the Vice-President for our chapter. Our chapter would hold dances, and have different fundraisers to get
more students involved. That year, along with others, I was introduced to the National Association of Students Against Violence
Everywhere through the National SAVE Summit. It was interesting to me to see how students my age were up on the stage speaking to us and trying to make a difference. The more that I participated at the Summit the more I knew that I wanted to do more than just be involved with my local chapter. By the end of the Summit I had made up my mind that I would apply for the National SAVE Youth Advisory Board.
By my senior year, I had moved up to the Co-President of our chapter. Shortly after the year began more and more opportunities
came about. Our school’s chapter began to do much more including SAVE rallies and establishing a SAVE Step Team, that would allow students to put all their negative energy into stepping instead of fighting. There was so much of an impact with SAVE that our county established a Countywide youth advisory board. The National youth advisory board and National SAVE both gave me more support to stand up against what is wrong. Serving on the board, I helped form Belief statements for the school aged children as well as dating violence lesson plans.
After I started traveling with SAVE it quickly became a passion, I have had the opportunity to travel to California, Tennessee, New York, and to various schools in North Carolina. I feel very privileged to see what I have seen with the help of SAVE . Along the way I have met some great people within the National SAVE office. They have supported me in many endeavors just like the closest of family.
Violence has always been around me, but it was my choice to give into it or to stand up and fight against it. I chose to make the Positive
Choice, not only for me, but for EVERYONE in my family, your family and the next person’s family who has been a victim of violence. ~ Latoria Sherrill, UNCG, Greensboro
Every person goes through bullying....
My name is Cassady Tetsworth and I am the President of the Kernodle Middle School SAVE chapter. I think that in life and school every
person goes through bullying at one point. The bullying could be playful or purposefully intended to hurt someone. I witness bullying
all the time and I try my best to intervene and attempt to help, but it never seemed to be enough. When I heard about SAVE
(Students Against Violence Everywhere), I immediately decided that I wanted to join. My friends and I all encouraged each other to
join, so we began attending meetings. I was an officer in the club, helping to plan events and run the meetings. I loved knowing that I was helping students feel more safe and secure in school and I knew that I wanted to continue being in the club for the following year.
I returned to the club as President for the next year. The vice President, Landri Peirce and the Secretary, Geeti Alizada were a huge help in the club. We planned each meeting and event together. We tried very hard to raise awareness around our community about preventing violence. The three of us and our advisor Mr. Mike Moser met with a representative from our sister school Colfax. We wanted to help spread our message to the elementary school, for upcoming 6th graders. We also took a couple of our members to a training session, to learn how to better our club.
Another thing we did was apply for a Grant. We received the Grant from the ESA Foundation and we used it to bring some of our members to the annual SAVE
summit in Raleigh. At the Summit we attended training sessions and watched a play of violence prevention.
Next year I will be a freshman in high school and will have to start over with a new school year. I plan to join my schools SAVE club and work my way up again. ~ Cassady Tetsworth, Kernodle Middle School
The "responsible child"....
Growing up with both an alcoholic mother and father, as well as other substance abuse issues, violence was very typical in my family. There was domestic violence as well as occasions of child abuse, which left my mom and older brother as victims of my dad’s nightly rages. I didn’t realize at the time that I had fallen into the “responsible child” role, which is usually typical of the oldest child in an alcoholic home. The role turned me into the 8 year old going on 30, placing responsibilities such as making dinner onto my shoulders. I was always the pride of the family, bringing home straight A’s, and simply staying out of trouble. Once I got to high school I craved to be apart of every club, maybe as a way to distract myself from my life at home.
My freshmen year I was approached by our counselor who informed me that our school would be implementing a SAVE (Students Against Violence Everywhere) chapter the following year; she wanted me to be an officer for the group. Of course I was excited to lead the group, but that year I also discovered a passion of mine: speaking out against violence, as well as finding ways to prevent it, and advocate for victims of all types of violence: sexual assault, child abuse, terrorism, etc. I have no doubt that it is my experiences that drive me to make a difference. I know that I may never prevent something like 9/11 from happening, but nothing is impossible, right? And, if I can make a difference in one person’s life, that’ll be O.K. with me. ~ Taushia Brooks, Crookston, MN
"Fight!?!?"
In California, where I went to high school, bullying and violence towards others who were the slightest bit different was extremely prevalent. I remember distinctly my freshman year witnessing two girls throwing punches at each other. The first thing I did was run into a classroom and tell a teacher that there was a fight. The first teacher didn't react, so I went to the next classroom, and the teacher came running out. I was shocked that no one did anything and people just stood there and watched two people trying to physically harm one another. As time went on, I continually noticed these types of situations and they consistently bothered me.
Finally, my sophomore year, one of my friends started a SAVE (Students Against Violence Everywhere) chapter. This was my opportunity to make a difference and stand up for what I believed in. Through my involvement with SAVE I noticed a difference within myself and others throughout my high school. Personally, I received conflict management training and was able to plan and participate in activities which would positively affect others in my school's community. Throughout the school, students' awareness was raised regarding issues of peer violence and other issues affecting the community.
With this sense of satisfaction and empowerment, I wanted to deepen my level of involvement in preventing youth violence. My senior year, I applied to SAVE 's National Youth Advisory Board, and was selected to represent the Western States of the United States. In this position, I was able to effect change from a different level. I began making presentations at local and regional conferences, and eventually made an extremely important contact which led to my involvement in the United Nations Study on Violence Against Children (UNSVAC)
My participation in UNSVAC began approximately 2 years ago. The independent expert felt that youth participation was extremely helpful and beneficial of the project, so a global youth panel was established. On this panel young people consulted with adults and discussed how to make the study’s process youth-friendly and easy for youth to participate in. Even today I am still involved, and even more importantly, the study will be launched in October at the United Nations in New York so that everyone can see how violence has affected children and how they, or their nations can make a difference. This fascinating process has made me realize how being a young person is a huge advantage. Young people can make a huge difference in their schools, communities, countries, and even globally. Within each of our communities there are mediums in which to communicate our views, and if there aren’t any, you can always establish your own through organizations like SAVE . The importance of the youth voice cannot be over emphasized.
Now, as a student at the University of California-Berkeley, I have continued with my involvement with SAVE as an Ambassador. Additionally, I have become involved in other activities on campus such as running an after school program for underprivileged elementary school youth and lobbying local, state and national legislators on behalf of UC students for the increased accessibility and affordability of a university education in the state of California.
Youth have the power to affect change on all kinds of levels, the challenge is figuring out how to use your connections and abilities to affect the greatest amount of change. Adults and others are willing to listen, youth just have to be willing to participate and put forth the effort. ~ Britt Hinchliff, UC-Berkeley, CA
My name is Mario Marijanovic. I'm in the 5th grade and I'm 11 years old. I attend "Ivan Goran Kovacic" Elementary School in Slavonski Brod, Croatia.I've been a SAVE member since October 2002.My friends told me about many actions they were doing to prevent violence at school, so I've decided to join.
I participated in collecting fresh fruit for sick children in our local hospital during the Week Without Violence in School and Local Community and I really enjoyed it.
There are a lot of SAVE members in my school. We try to stop violence of any kind in our school and community.
Best wishes to all SAVE members.
Mario Marjanovic
My name is Robert and I attend Marquette Elementary/Middle School. I'm in the 8th
grade and a member of
SAVE I would like to tell you how
SAVE has helped
me.
I was transferred to Marquette School in late October. I was told
to leave Burbank Middle School because of fights. I had some
trouble with anger management. I really didn't want to come
to Marquette School. I thought that I would get into trouble.
However, I was wrong.
I was invited to join the Marquette SAVE
Chapter. I thought it wouldn't work but I could get out of
class for an hour once a week. Man, was I wrong!
I learned that there are other ways to handle problems.
Fighting isn't the answer, talking it out is. I learned that
I like to help other people and I'm good at it. I now mentor
two fifth grade students. I enjoy discussing ways to solve
problems with them.
SAVE
has helped me focus on improving myself and my grades have
improved also. I have set a record for myself. I haven't been
suspended since coming to Marquette School. I am proud of
myself. I try to think twice and act once. SAVE
has saved me.
Robert Babcock
Marquette Elementary/Middle
As a member of Students Against Violence Everywhere, I feel as though
I have had the opportunity to touch and to reach so many people. However, one of the most rewarding experiences I have
had with SAVE is the story of a girl named Mariana.
Two years ago, our main SAVE project was building a SAVE walkway. The construction of the walkway
required a lot of work and only a few dedicated members put
in the time and effort. One of the members was a girl
named Mariana. Mariana was Hispanic and came to our school from Mexico. She spoke little English. However, she still became
involved with SAVE One
of the reasons she decided to join was because our chapter
president at that time invited her to. However, Mariana remained a dedicated member. She was one of the key people in the completion of our
sidewalk. Mariana even attended the SAVE Summit in Raleigh that year.
Unfortunately Mariana did not return to Eastern the following year
and we have not kept contact with her.
Having Mariana in our chapter was such an awesome experience
though. It was
incredibly touching to have someone from another culture in
our club. She
even spoke another language.
That showed us that SAVE has the potential to spread outside of the United States. Not just American students are involved but those from
other countries feel the same way we do about violence. To know that and to see it in front of you makes you
feel like you are really making a difference. That feeling is perhaps one of the best feeling is the
world. It makes all the work we put in worth it.
Kate Catlin
Eastern Alamance
During the summer before my eighth grade year I was at Camp Kanata. While in a discussion class there I heard about a group that
one of the girls was in called Students Against Violence Everywhere.
She told us how they had open discussions about topics of
interest to teens every Friday. I talked to her later
on about SAVE and was really curious to see if there would be
a chapter at my High School.
When I started Northern Durham High School in 1999 all the advertising of the clubs started, and sure enough
I saw The SAVE Story video and heard when the first meeting was
before a week of school was over. Throughout my freshman
year I became active in my chapter, helping out with projects,
meetings, and anything else I could. As I went on through
High School I stuck with SAVE because I really felt and feel like it has a place
and an effect in schools. I went on to become the Vice
President my sophomore year, and then the President my Junior
year of my school's SAVE chapter. I continue to be active in SAVE to this day because I believe that it contains
valuable lessons that need to be learned by a lot of people
to make our communities better places to be in. I enjoy
teaching conflict resolution because I like giving people
a tool that they can used in their daily lives to make their
surroundings more peaceful and learn to communicate better
with the people around them.
When
SAVE started in 1989 it had a momentum behind it in
commemoration of the death of Alex Orange. Today SAVE still has the same purpose, to make our communities
and schools better places to be and to live peacefully amongst
one another. Violence, in the words of Alex Orange, "...Has
no place."
Wes Blalock
Northern High School
The summer before 8th grade I moved to Elizabeth City NC. I left a ton of friends, old boyfriends, and memories behind.
I couldn't believe I was stuck in the middle of no where.
School started out alright...except for the fact that I wasn't
making friends. I was too different...I didn't talk like the
EC cats, I wasn't "Black enough" I started having problems
in classes and eventually I was referred to guidance. Mr.
Douglas; the man I was sent to see, said I was just having
a few social problems and that I needed to be more involved
in something. Well we couldn't think of what that was. I already
played volleyball but things didn't click there so we looked
for something else. That "something else" turned out to be
the new SAVE program that our school was starting. I was put
into a leadership position that I loved. SAVE just like turned my life around. I met people
in places that I normally wouldn't interact with. I was so
used to Army Brats that it took me a while to realize that
sometimes people don't have ANYTHING in common with you and
they can be the best of friends. SAVE opened up doors for me that I never knew existed.
I wouldn't be a YABer if it hadn't been
for Mr. Douglas. Thanks...
Regina
Twine
Junior at NHS
I am in SAVE for many reasons, but the main one is because
I have always wanted to help people in any way I can.
I feel SAVE is a good way to start. If I can show someone
the alternative to fighting and help them out, then I have
done what I want to do. I have had an impact on someone's
life. It also helps me check myself to make sure that
I am living the life that I need to because I never know who
might be watching.
Amanda Elks
D.H. Conley High School
Although the story isn't that compelling it is my story. It was a
couple of weeks ago and I was walking down the hall and this
women who was coming from the office noticed me and said
"hey aren't you ReQuia Grayson" and I was like yes, she was
like " I know you." I was thinking to myself no you don't
because I had never seen her a day in my life and I know that
I'm not a celebrity so people wouldn't just know my name if
I was walking through the hallways. She was trying to start
a SAVE chapter for an elementary school, and said that
she went to the national SAVE website and saw my picture. I must admit that
I was a little overwhelmed I mean someone actually read my
story. Something that I thought was so minor with all that
is going on in the world, and to think she liked it enough
to acknowledge that she had read it. So I guess my voice
really does count and make a difference even if its only to
one person. I must tell you that after she was gone I was
left with a feeling that I had done my part in helping to
stop school violence, and for that I thank SAVE !!!
Requia Grayson
Northeastern High School
It is amazing how one experience can change you focus,
drive, and ideals for the future. In the spring of 1999, after
the horrific Columbine shooting, this day transpired.
I was at the national SAVE (Students Against Violence Everywhere) summit;
it was a very emotional day.
After only one week after the shooting so many people
were gathered in Raleigh for this summit. Many members of the press were also there. One such member interviewed me and asked me the most
memorable question of my life. The woman asked me "What have
you done personally?"
This struck me very hard. I thought to myself 'obviously not enough; if this were
to happen'.
After
that day I have worked hard within my community to stop violence
not just in my school but also around me. I moved on the next year to be Vice President
of the SAVE
chapter, and again a peer mediator, in which I was instrumental
in helping others resolve their conflicts without violence. I started believing that I could make
a difference in the fight against violence.
Now that I am a national youth advisory board member for SAVE , I often look back at that experience with the
media that may have changed my ideals of the world around
me. I may not have taken the initiative to help be part
of the solution, and might have been like millions of students
around the nation, who either do not care or do not know how
to help. Thankfully, one day in the spring of 1999 I was asked
one question, "What have you done personally?" Now I can say, I have been part of a solution to end
the vicious cycle of violence in our nation.
Lindsey Jones
Weddington High School
One day last year this boy came up to me and asked me if I was the
SAVE chapter vice-president. I said yes, is there something I can help you with? He said no. I
went on to tell him about SAVE - what it is and how it works in our school. This
year I started at a different school, and then transferred
back to that school. The SAVE chapter was concerned.
There had been 15 fights within 25 days. Later, I ran
into the young man he asked me again if I was the vice-president
of SAVE this year.
I said no and then he asked me about SAVE again. I asked him if there was anything
I could help him with. He responded that he is known for getting
in trouble, and that after learning about SAVE he wanted to change and that it hurt him to know
that there is that much violence in school.
He asked if he could join SAVE and I said of course we would be glad to have
you!!
Shawn Jewett
North Iredell High School
I joined SAVE when I was in 6th grade at A.G. Cox Middle School.
When I first joined SAVE it was because "everyone was doing it."
I stayed in SAVE all the way through middle school and I was just
a part of SAVE When I got to high school I decided I would
stay in SAVE since I had already been in it for 3 years.
Well at D H Conley High School SAVE is a whole lot more than just "being in SAVE ."
I learned that you really have to participate in things.
My Junior year in high school I really became involved in
SAVE I participated in everything. That
was when I really learned the true meaning of Students Against
Violence Everywhere. I learned that violence really
is a problem in our school system and in the community.
I learned that violence is the voice of the unheard.
When you are in SAVE you have a chance to tell people what it means
to be violence free and how you can help people stay that
way! I think that SAVE is a very special program and if you stick with
it you can really help some people when they need it.
Ashley Hampton
My entire freshman year in high school was rocky for me. Before entering high school, I had spent my first nine
years of school at a private school and the idea of entering
a public school was mind-boggling.
I didn't have any personal experience with public schools,
except for what I heard from others. In all, I think I had been on a public school campus
about ten times in my whole life before going to high school. This was not enough time to get an acquainted with the
atmosphere. Nevertheless, I entered high school in the fall of 1999
with some expectations of a positive journey.
The first couple of months were a series of culture
shocks for me but eventually I got used to the routine.
I made new friends and got used to the concept of referring
to my classes as periods.
I enjoyed my first year and I have a lot of memories—good and bad—that
I share with my friends now.
Of all the memories I have about my freshman year,
I'll never forget the day I saw a classmate of mine beat up
his step-dad. That
day was an odd spring day when there were nearly 70 students
still on campus at 4:00pm. Usually, everyone goes home right
after school lets out around 2:40pm. I was standing at the
top of staircase to the right looking down through the bars
at the cars that were picking up students. The sun luminated brilliantly on the tops of the cars
and the weather was as clear as a bell. All in all, the day was beautiful,
relaxing, peaceful.
Much to my surprise all of that came to an end when a parent dressed
in a military uniform came to pick up his sons.
I watched nonchalantly as he found his sons and proceeded
to walk down the staircase. The parent was in front of the boys and looked back
and made a comment to the other kids standing on the staircase
while he walked down the stairs.
I was having a conversation of my own and I didn't
pay much attention to what was being said by others around
me. That changed
very quickly as I watched the parent walk to the bottom of
the stairs and turn the corner. Whatever he said or did must have upset his youngest
stepson and the boy swung at the man.
I couldn't believe what I saw next.
I saw a quiet, reserve and kind of nerdy bookworm turn
violent in just a swing of the arm. My classmate punched his step-dad about twenty or thirty
times and when the man fell, he kicked him about thirty-five
times. The altercation took place over a span of five or six
minutes. It was brief but at that moment, it seemed like a million
years was passing by.
The man screamed in agony as he blocked the hits.
He never once hit the boy back. Instead, he curled up in a ball in the fetal position. That was truly an odd sight, a grown man (not to mention
a soldier trained to fight) on the ground in the fetal position. The boy beat the man until he got tired.
And then he stopped and stepped back.
At that point, the boy's mother had gotten out of the
car and was calling her son's name. Her youngest son did not seem to notice her. He seemed to be in his own world.
The anger in his face disappeared and his facial expression
was blank. The oldest son looked shocked at first and then he walked
away.
No one, none of the seventy plus people that was standing around or
sitting in cars stopped the beating.
No one stopped the boy. No one came to the rescue of the man.
Everyone stood there. Even me. About
ten minutes into the ordeal, the SRO officer came out and
took the boy upstairs. He was crying. I couldn't help but have sympathy
for him because his tears were not "I'm in trouble" tears. But, his tears were tears of exhaustion. Almost as if there was something more to this story. A week later, I found out the rest of the story.
The boy who beat up his step dad was not some out of control thug. He was a straight A, quiet boy that sat alone at lunch—and
was being molested by his step-dad. Later on he told the authorities that he was afraid
to tell a teacher about what was happening to him. He said he didn't think anyone would
believe him. Especially
since his mother said she didn't believe him.
His mother was too much in love with a man she had
known for only a couple of months. She opted to believe a stranger over her own children. Consequently, the boy was not punished for his actions. The court rightfully believed his accusations (after
a medical examination) and took him and his older brother
out of the home and into the home of some other classmates.
I felt strange knowing that someone so kind was going through all
of this hardship at home and never depicted any sign of it
at school. Except for what I saw in April of 2000, I would have
never believed that my classmate was in any kind of at home
trouble. The most shocking part of the ordeal was the rage he
had when he beat up his step-dad and that his only way out
was through violence. Someone once said,
"Violence is the last refuge for the incompetent."
But, I firmly believe that sometimes violence is the
last refuge for the scared.
Before then I had never had a real stance against violence. But, before then I had not seen the impact violence
could have in a person's life.
I felt an incredible amount of sorrow for my classmate
because he felt like he had no one to speak to. It was then that I understand that violence is like
a period at the end of a sentence.
Something comes before it, before it happens.
I felt so much sorrow for my classmate because I knew
that his anguish and heartburn could have been prevented. I could have taken a stand and been that person who
believed him. I could have stopped a violent act before it happened.
I began to wonder about all the other violent acts that have taken
place on high school grounds and elsewhere. I wondered about Columbine High School. Could someone
have intervened and helped those boys before they acted out
violently? I wondered about Santana High School. Could someone
have stopped them? It seemed like everyday there was another
violent act occurring and I wondered, who saw this coming
but did nothing? I decided that I would do something.
In the fall of 2000, at the beginning of my sophomore year, I did
something. I joined a new organization that had just been started
by a friend of mine.
It was called SAVE (Students Against Violence Everywhere). I had never heard of it before. But, I knew that its message was meaningful
and I would finally be taken a stand for something that has
so much impact. As
a member of SAVE , I help mediate problems that occur between other
students and I serve as a role model for others who want to
lead a nonviolent life.
I help those in need by serving my school, community
and even the nation.
I give my classmates the medium to vocalize any problems
that they think no one will believe them on. I am happy to be a part of
SAVE because I know that my efforts are going towards
a good cause. My efforts today are like
the period at the end of the sentence.
Positive.
Tiffany Locus
I think SAVE has helped me alot because I used to be when
a fight would come around I would always jump up and go see
who it was. But know when a fight comes around I will try
to stop it, but trying not to get hurt myself.Also another
reason a like it so much is becuase the Director
Deputy Shelly Kimball is so nice she really gets involed with
trying to get it all around the school, so the people would
know that there are alot of people in our school that doesn't
care for people and the violent acts that they do.
So Thank-You Deputy Shelly Kimball.
Chante'
at Chestnut Log Middle School in Douglasville,GA
National Association of Students Against Violence Everywhere
SAVE: Youth Voices... Grown-Up Choices! Toll Free 866-343-SAVE
For more information contact cwray@nationalsave.org / Copyright 2007
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