Sitting in ISE thinking of what change my viewpoint on life was challenging at first. I then started to think of ideas: cancer, Trump, elections, Kobe, anything historical but nothing stood out. Then it clicked, one thing that made me and multiple people our age realize we need change, we need a voice. 

February 14, 2018. It started off as an average day in my home town. It was my brother’s birthday so the house was all decorated and Valentine’s day too so my mom got me a little gift of chocolates. Then we headed off to school. Little did everyone know that this day will become a historical day for our generation.

2:20 pm, “Guys I just heard gunshots. I ran into a classroom and I am sitting in a closet. I will text you with updates”. A text I received in my camp group chat. Not a close friend but still such a horrifying text to received from a friend. Everyone freaked out, anxious and yet worried about what will happen not only to our friend but to all the students. Later that day, we come to find out that MSD, in Parkland Florida, a shooting occurred. My camp friend updated us that multiple people were injured and a few died. Little did we know a counselor at another camp died. This day, everyone decided we need change. 

We control the change. This shooting not only hit home to me and my camp friends but to the majority of teens that have friends or family at this high school. We can make a difference, we can make an impact. Our generation has a voice and it has not been heard yet, speak up and stand up.

After this day many actions took place. Schools got more security due to students and families being afraid of the actions that happen at Stoneman Douglas. Walkouts, petitions, movements, all began with high schoolers. Multiple high schools, including mine, participated in a national school walkout on March 14, for 17 minutes. 17 minutes for the 17 lives this horrible kid that shot up the school took. 

From the end of February to now, the idea of gun restrictions and laws to prevent things like this to happen has made my viewpoint change. Before what happened at MSD, I would never really take into consideration of who can obtain guns and what age. Now I do worry because once you hear about ideas like this from a friend, it hits you differently. Precautions have been taken in schools and since then nothing has happened that has been as major as Parkland. We hope to keep it this way but you always need to stand up and speak up. Never be afraid and if you live your life in fear, you will always be haunting yourself.