A strong generation
When I heard there was a shooting at Parkland high school, my mind immediately went to my friend who lives in Orlando and my heart started to pound in my chest. Shortly after, I found out that the shooting did not take place at her high school. What was immediate relief quickly turned to immense anger. She could have died, she could have been one of the 17, all because of a gun. A gun that, if regulated, would have never been used as a weapon of mass murder.
Students now go to school in fear that it could be their last day alive, simply because politicians care more about money than their safety. It could be my school, my brother’s school, or even the school my aunt teaches at. Teachers lose sleep over the idea that they or their students could suddenly die one day in a classroom.
Other countries that have more gun regulations set in place have way less mass shootings. There have been 18 school shootings this year alone, and as a nation, we currently lead with the most school shootings. That is what we are known for.
Victims of mass shootings speak out against these weapons of mass murder only to be told by politicians that mental health is to blame. How can they say such a thing when the lives of students across the country are in constant danger? Wouldn’t it be harder for people to commit these acts of terror if there were stricter gun laws?
We are told that at our age we can not possibly make a change, but we will keep fighting for gun control; the voices of this generation are powerful and can not be silenced. Many of us are, or will be, 18 soon and we will be able to vote for gun reforms. We are only getting started.
Mrs. Morrow
Junior Kana Chung appreciates the one-on-one relationship that Mrs. Morrow creates
Mrs. Morrow helping a student with classwork
Teaching is a common profession; however, not all teachers are able to evoke the passion for learning many students require to flourish in an educational environment. Mrs. Morrow is another story. Not only is she extremely intelligent and gifted in her mathematical abilities, but she is also able to communicate her knowledge to her students in a way they can easily comprehend. Anyone who has seen her in action can attest to the claim that she is passionate about what she does. It’s very evident in the way she conducts her work. In addition to giving lectures and tests, she engages in thought-provoking conversations with her students. Every class has a student or two who constantly asks questions that go beyond the initial lesson, and Mrs. Morrow meets their curiosity with equal enthusiasm. She genuinely wishes to find the answers they seek so they can fully understand different topics and feel assured that their thoughts are justified. When she teaches a lesson, she always makes sure to take her explanation an extra step further so her students not only understand what she’s doing, but why she’s doing it. Similarly, while challenging her disciples to meet their mathematical potentials, she also encourages them to push the limits of their overall intellectual thought process and takes great pride when they do. To me, that’s what makes a great teacher; being inspired by the students. An educator is most effective when they are driven by the will to better their pupils. Students will often reflect the level of passion expressed by their instructor. Teaching is more than educating a student on a particular subject, it’s preparing our youth life skills that will help them be successful in whatever path they choose. Mrs. Morrow is very aware of how critical her job is in shaping the minds of our future, and she does just that: reveal to each student that they have the capability to analyze and manage anything life may choose to throw at them.