- Amanda Omoigui
- Sep 9, 2024
On Wednesday, September 4, 2024, four students and staff members were brutally murdered by a shooter at Apalachee High School in Georgia. The deaths of the students, Christian Angulo and Mason Schermerhorn were absolutely tragic, as well as those of 53-year-old math teacher Cristina Irimie celebrating her birthday, and assistant coach Richard Aspinwall.
Individual students present at the life-altering events showed courage and bravery throughout the day. To live through the events of a school shooting alone is difficult, but to go beyond and save the lives of classmates requires another level of courage.
14-year-old Bri Jones was the first hero of the story. A classmate of shooter Colt Gray, she had hesitated to let him into the classroom after he had snuck out. Little did she know that her peeking and noticing a gun in the shooter’s arms would save the lives of herself and those in the classroom with her. Another 14-year-old student named Ronaldo Vega was shot while rushing to close the door of his classroom to prevent the shooter’s return.
And finally, in joint collaboration and courage on both ends, Richard Aspinwall was the math teacher who unknowingly sacrificed his life for his students. After checking up on hallway commotion, he was fatally shot. His students took it upon themselves to use their shirts to stop his bleeding, and to barricade the classroom.
In the moments of chaos, these students took charge, took leadership and survived. They did this not for internet recognition, for future awards and scholarships, but for the will to survive and the love for one another.
Even through the bravery and courage shown by the students, to return to the place that stole the lives of classmates, and left students traumatized is no small feat. And by doing this alone, these students show bravery. But they cannot work through all of this alone.
Stand with the students of Apalachee High School by supporting assault weapon regulation and gun control. Your vote matters, even if you are not yet able to. What you say, think, and share matters. Your social media posts, as well as casual conversations, can influence the voters for change. Let’s work towards getting graduating students, and not dead ones.
Are you currently advocating for changes in gun violence legislation or know of a cause that is? Email us at activatingactivists@gmail.com, or DM us on Instagram @activatingactivists for a chance of community spotlight to grow your reach.
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