It seems like everyday you hear about students hurting people in a school. You have probably asked yourself, why does this happen? Why are schools so dangerous these days and what can we do to make them safer. One small town in Oregon has asked these same questions.

On May 20, 1998, a 15-year-old student named Kip Kinkel was suspended from Thurston High School for buying a gun on campus. The police questioned him about this but let him go.

The next morning, Kip did something that hurt many people in his school. He used a gun in school. Twenty-five students were hurt and two students died before Kip was stopped by other students.

No one is clear why Kip did what he did but there are several ideas. Some say that video games, cartoons, movies or music can give children the idea that hurting people is okay.

Guns are very easy to get in many towns. Some people blame our government for not making it harder to get guns.

Using a gun to tell someone you don't like them is not okay. It doesn't tell the person anything. It doesn't solve the problem. What you need to do is talk to them. Tell them why you are upset. Tell your teacher or your parent or a friend's parent or other students. Let people know that you are unhappy with how you are treated at school. Then people can start to treat you better.

Hurting people will not make them treat you better. Use your brain and speak your mind.

Stephanie

Please email me at: stephanie@ustrek.org