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#IfIDieInASchoolShooting: America's Children Have Accepted A Terrible Fate

If you die in a school shooting, what would be your legacy?

Katie Petrilak

May 29, 2018

West Chester University

#IfIDieInASchoolShooting: America's Children Have Accepted A Terrible Fate

Kate Cronin

I will admit, when I first saw this hashtag, I was somewhat relieved. It reminded me that I was in college, and not many universities had to face this problem. Then I remembered that my dream is to one day teach music in a public school...

This trend was started by Andrew Schneidawind, whose goal was to start a conversation about gun control in the most heartbreaking way possible.

Someone will need to take over the tasks you once did.

You won't live everyone's dream.

It won't be up to you to protect your loved ones.
You won't be there to comfort your loved ones.
You won't be "just" a victim.
But you will, unfortunately, be just another statistic.

You'll be forgotten.

You'll make the ones that are guilty feel the guilt.

You'll turn into a political statement.

We'll pray your death wasn't for nothing.

We will celebrate your life.

We will politicize your death until they forget your name.

One day, this won't be the thought.

One day, you'll never have this happen to you again.

I promise you, I will politicize your death, and I hope you do the same for me.

Because if I die in a school shooting, it will be because I was using my body to protect my students after praying I wouldn't have to.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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Recommended for you

#IfIDieInASchoolShooting: America's Children Have Accepted A Terrible Fate

If you die in a school shooting, what would be your legacy?

Someone will need to take over the tasks you once did.

You won't live everyone's dream.

It won't be up to you to protect your loved ones.

You won't be there to comfort your loved ones.

You won't be "just" a victim.

But you will, unfortunately, be just another statistic.

You'll be forgotten.

You'll make the ones that are guilty feel the guilt.

You'll turn into a political statement.

We'll pray your death wasn't for nothing.

We will celebrate your life.

We will politicize your death until they forget your name.

One day, this won't be the thought.

One day, you'll never have this happen to you again.

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

Don't freak out

Email the professor

Attend the first class

Keep attending class

Have a backup plan

Remember that everything works out at the end

It's mandatory to have these conversations.

1. What do you do for a living?

2. What's your favorite color?

3. Do you have any siblings?

4. What's your favorite television show?

5. When is your birthday?

6. What's your biggest goal in life?

7. If you had three wishes granted to you by a genie, what would they be?

8. What's your favorite childhood memory?

9. If you could change one thing about your life, what would it be?

10. Are you a cat or a dog person?

11. Do you believe in a religion or any sort of spiritual power?

12. If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be?

13. What is your ideal date night?

14. Who was/is your celebrity crush?

15. What's a good way to cheer you up if you're having a bad day?

16. Do you have any tattoos?

17. Can you describe yourself in three words?

18. What makes you the most nervous in life?

19. What's the best gift you have ever received?

20. What do you do to relax/have fun?

21. What are your priorities at this phase of your life?

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

Ingredients

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Ingredients

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There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

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Doing the friendly wave to every boat you pass.

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You have no problem with peeing in the water.

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Watching in awe at the bigger, better boats that pass by.

Knowing any swimsuit that you own with white in it is best left for the pool or the ocean.

The momentary fear for your life as you get launched from the tube.

You're able to go to the restaurants by the water wearing minimal clothing.

Having unexpected problems with your boat.

Having a name for your boat unique to you and your life.

There's no better place you'd rather be in the summer.

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

1. My school is incredibly unique.

2. I am not just a number at my school.

3. I feel like I am contributing something to the community.

5. My professors know me and I feel that I can easily communicate with them.

6. The incredible people I've met

7. Opportunities

8. Students want to learn

9. Ability to join a sorority and have a house full of people I know I can talk to anytime I need to

10. I have figured out how I learn best because my school offers so many different ways of learning.

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