In light of the mass shooting at an elementary school in Newtown, Connecticut, The Southerner staff would like to extend our condolences to the families and friends of the victims. Though the heartbreaking event is undoubtedly a tragedy considering the number of lives lost, it is also an example of the strong human spirit. From the first responders to the medical professionals that treated the wounded, the crisis brought out the best in community members, especially the staff at Sandy Hook. In a time of crisis, staff members at Sandy Hook Elementary went above and beyond their call of duty by protecting their young students from gunfire, putting their own safety and well-being at risk.
In addition to grieving for the children who lost their lives and commending the efforts and strength of the staff at Sandy Hook Elementary, we would like to thank the staff at South High for making our safety a priority. We have always felt safe at South and know that administration and teachers work hard to provide a safe academic environment. Not only do we thank staff for our physical safety, but we are also grateful for the number of resources at South that support our emotional and mental health. Our counselors and clinic work tirelessly to provide a support system for students, and it is incredibly helpful at this stage in our lives.
A lot of response to the Sandy Hook shooting has been met with a call for more arms. This response is contradictory and upsetting; if anything, this mass shooting should force us to reconsider and tighten our gun control policies. There has even been some mention of armed guards in schools, which we believe will only increase the possibility that a gun could find its way into the hands of someone unsafe. A more reasonable approach would be to make gun licenses more difficult to obtain and to decrease the number of assault weapons that are easily accessible. As the Southerner editorial staff, we would like to share our support for stronger gun restrictions.
We would like to, once again, extend our appreciation to South’s staff for dedicating themselves to providing a safe learning environment for their students. Thank you.