Wishing for a better 2013

We've now entered a new year, a year to be filled with joyous memories and juvenile laughs. We are in the prime of our youth and have our whole lives ahead of us, yet some children hundreds of miles away won't be sharing this New Year with us.

The lives of 20 small children and six adults were lost in the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting on Dec. 14 in Newtown, Conn.

"I was just shocked and confused. I have no idea what would drive someone to do such a horrible act," said Marysville Charter Academy for the Arts junior Kailey Smith.

This loss of life has been mourned as one of the past year's greatest tragedies, and as we begin 2013, legislatures are begging the question: Are our schools really safe?

Firearms being the target of debate, arguments have arisen about whether arming teachers would provide needed safety for students. The reason for controversy is obvious, but where do the students of MCAA stand on the issue?

"Absolutely not. First of all, why would you teach about non-violence and then arm the people teaching? That would be sending mixed messages, don't you think? Not only that, but in a way we would be providing the attacker, or any foolish students, with the weapons. Why bring your own when there is already one at the school? I understand the need for safety; however, I think placing weapons at school is the wrong way to go about it," said senior Kelsey Wilson.

Kelsey's opinion is shared among the general consensus, yet some students have also found a compromise they feel more inclined to.

"My opinion is, no matter what circumstance, teachers shouldn't be allowed to carry weapons in classrooms for safety purposes, but I do support the idea some lawmakers are suggesting: that there be at least one armed security guard at school during school hours," said freshman Michelle Yang.

This proposal would cut down on the expense of the original idea, which would require weapons training for teachers, and only expands the responsibilities of an already selected position.

"A teacher's job is to teach and provide for his or her students; it is the job of the school grounds security to keep students safe. If anyone should carry a gun or defensive item, it should be them, not the teachers," said senior Travis Miller.

Though many students shared similar views about the issue, what they were most eager to express is what they believe we should take away and learn from incidents like Sandy Hook and countless others.

"When we talk about safety in anything, we need to know where the threat comes from, and we need to do more to protect our children than protect the school they visit," said senior Jacy Gouveia.

As we've seen from the many tragedies in the news, terrible things happen — but hopefully they will also remind us of the preciousness of life and of what is truly important. Keeping these things in mind, and holding the memory of those lost dear, MCAA wishes the world a better New Year.

Kylee Schesser is a senior at Marysville Charter Academy for the Arts. Her column appears every six weeks in Education.