Santa Fe, Texas is where I grew up. I graduated High School and still have family and friends in the small town. The population of Santa Fe is around 13,000 residents. The high school has around 1,400 students. The tragedy that took place on Friday, May 18, 2018 was unspeakable. For a young man to allegedly shoot, injure and Kill so many people is unthinkable. What brought about this decision to even start to plan an event of this magnitude? So many lives have been forever changed by the decision of one young man who is now in custody and has confessed to this horrible crime. Although, he has confessed, that does not make things easier for those involved. There will still have to be a trial and those scars will be re-opened when everyone has to re-live these events.
Community
This whole situation just does not make sense to me. Santa Fe is a close community – much like a big family. People seem to know practically everyone at the grocery store or even gas station. If not, you at least know their family member, Parent, Sibling, or Cousin. I am not saying that life in a small town is easier, just that the people are mostly friendly and help each other out at the drop of a hat. My Dad used to say, “when a person from Santa Fe says let me know if you need anything then they really mean it”. When a person from a large town says that they are just saying the words with no actions behind them. People care about their neighbors and friends in the community. So, how did a young man allegedly walk into the Art Classrooms of Santa Fe High School and start shooting his classmates and teachers? I really do not have the answer to that question. But would like to share my thoughts on a few ways to prevent this from happening again.
Obviously, changes need to happen. For Instance: more security in schools; better mental health programs; anti-bullying campaigns that really can resonate with our young; solving family/community gun control issues; parents locking up their guns; and parents really talking to their kids about what is happening in their lives.
Security in Schools
Schools are supposed to be a safe place to learn and for children of all ages to flourish into young adults ready to take on the challenges of college, trade school or work life.
Safe, but not a prison with metal detectors, bob wire fences surrounding the property and closed campuses that once you enter you will not be able to escape. There are those that believe it should be a closed campus as I have described. Is that what it will take to keep our kids safe? In this case, at Santa Fe, I am not sure that would have done any good. Go around and enter through a back door – no metal detector. The young man was a student and had every right to be on campus to attend his first period class. The only way I can think of to have stopped the young man from getting into school with the weapons would have been to have one or two entrances with metal detectors.
Mental Health Issues
As parents we need to ask out children questions. How was your day? What happened today? Are you generally happy in your daily activities and school? What things are bothering you? Are you having problems with friends or making friends? Why not get involved with a club and try something new? What do you think about being part of a mentoring program? What are your thoughts for your future? Are you getting bullied?
Mental health for our kids is so very important. I believe learning to take care of yourself mentally. Physically and emotionally are all equally important to our youth. Maybe, the young man in question did have people asking questions but he gave the cookie cutter answers that everyone wanted to hear instead of being honest, which we all know is so much harder than lying.
Gun Control
I know this is a HOT issue; but, for this particular case, the young man took the guns from his father. Yes, guns and ammunition should be locked away in a gun safe, and they WERE according to reports. They should only be accessible by an adult. There were homemade explosives that were found on the High School campus and at the home of the suspect. Again, parents need to lock up their guns. Communication between parents and kids need to take place. There are many avid hunters and fisherman in the community, so not having guns in a house, would be the exception to the rule in this community.
Prayers
I am keeping all the victims that lost their lives or who were injured by this senseless act of violence in my prayers and their families. Plus, all the young lives that are forever changed by witnessing this horrible event. All the community has shown remarkable compassion and come together to help each other through this unbearable time. If I could give my town anything, it would be HOPE. Hope that things will get better. Hope that lawmakers will work together to find solutions. Hope that this will be the last time something like this happens. If it does not, Hope that we can be there for each other and help one another through horrible events such as these.
Obviously, changes need to happen. My previous examples: more security in schools; better mental health programs; anti-bullying campaigns that really resonate with our young; solving family/community gun control issues; parents locking up their guns; and parents really talking to their kids about what is happening in their lives.
All of these issues need to be combined, to truly prevent that these terrible, senseless acts of violence never happen again in our schools.
It is with compassion and hope that we will all see the necessary changes by the National, State and Local governments. The local programs to ensure that these kids are supported and have their voice heard. This is my hope, but just how long will it take for these changes to take place?
Please let me know what you think about this issue. I would love to know your thoughts and see if we can find a solution so that this never happens again to our precious children.
