PRINTVivid memories, stark reality
April 16, 2009 | 12:00 a.m. CST
Some events in our lifetime bring light to the phrase, “You’ll remember exactly where you were and what you were feeling.” On April 20, 1999, I was a sophomore in high school. I remember the images of the two boys in black trench coats wielding gigantic guns. I remember the faces of the students crying in the school’s parking lot, but for the life of me, I cannot remember where I was. It was the aftermath of Columbine that I remember vividly.
In the weeks that followed the shootings, my average, suburban high school received numerous bomb threats. Parents were afraid to send their kids to school, and teachers were on high alert. While sitting in class one afternoon, I heard what sounded like gunshots. Someone in administration came over the PA to tell us all to remain in our classrooms. We were petrified.
Thankfully, it was just a small pipe bomb that someone had decided to blow up in one of the hallways, and no one was injured. But at 15 years old, I shouldn’t have had to fear for my life during school hours. No kid should.
Last Thursday the MU faculty council met to discuss security measures on campus. The discussion revolved around the use of Tasers and armed officers on school grounds. Other educational institutions across the country are having similar discussions to combat the ongoing violence in our nation’s schools (Feature).
As new security measures are put in place, the hope is that we’ll never have to use them. But in the event that we do, we should be prepared. Stay safe, Columbia.
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