6A: Newtown Strong

             

I have faced many challenges throughout my life that have forced me to become stronger, or change my ways in order to overcome. At one point, in most everyone’s life, they have struggled with something that knocked them out of their normal routine and challenged them which could have caused change or reevaluation. Whether you were the weird one throughout your school years or the quiet one. Maybe you were a little out spoken or maybe you just stood out from the rest. Either way, those events have the ability to drastically change you, or mold you into who you are now. 

                My struggle happened fast and without warning on December 14, 2012. I was in personal finance at around 9:30am. We were watching some video on identity thieves. I remember constantly hearing sirens buzz by my school, so naturally I’m curious, thinking there may have been a bad accident or a local business robbery. Not too long after the Principal comes over the speakers saying that we are put into lock down. Everyone silently goes to the side of the room and sits on the floor. It only takes moments before the text messages start rolling in from different cell phones; there was a shooting in my town at the elementary school a mile down the road, Sandy Hook. While everyone start to try to gather more information, I sit in the corner with a thousand thoughts racing through my mind. I had went there for five years, the children I babysit for every week for the past three years were there. I was in a panic, people were constantly coming up to me in my class (people I had never spoken to) and asking me if I was okay and offering their comfort.

                Later I would find out that the children I babysit for were alright but children who live all around me had lost their lives. Not a day goes by, still, that I don’t think about that day or everything that happened after. And even after that day, I would face the challenge of finding my new normal. I struggle with the ability of feeling safe.

                One thing that helped me cope was the feeling of community all around me. Everyone in school was nice to everyone. If someone looked upset, they would receive hugs and comfort from dozens of people from whom they might not have even known. I loved how everyone was so friendly to everyone, which was definitely a huge step in the direction of healing.

                Along with this and the months following, I never knew how to give back to my community, such as so many had. This caused me to isolate myself and my feelings in the beginning. But I eventually got participate in numerous charity musical events, where I get to work with professionals and use my passion to let out my emotions and give back happiness to my community. Along with that my college scholarship that paid for a large portion of my first year tuition, was a We Are Newtown remembrance scholarship. Though this tragedy had to happen, I have received so much from it which had eased the pain and caused me to grow.

                Though I still struggle with some issues resulting from that day, I do realize that those events and the ones following have changed me. I have become more independent and out spoken then I once was. I know how to stand up for myself and my beliefs. Though I not be happy with the way I had to discover these new things about myself. I am happy with the person I have become today.

Charity Show I participated in this summer: Seussical The Musical