A Generation of Activists

What have you done to make your school or your community a better place?


At 16, I was on a train to San Diego and deep in my biology notes when alarms began to sound and we were evacuated. Armed police urged us to run; as a fellow passenger told me, there was a gunman on the train who was threatening to shoot. Within an hour, reporters were on the scene as helicopters circled overhead and I sat, paralyzed, suddenly understanding how crazy situations like mass shootings, can unfold in an instant.

This close call compelled me into action. I began writing to raise awareness. I attended services in the UCSB college town of Isla Vista to write commemorative pieces on the anniversary of the 2014 shooting. I covered local events such as Concerts Across America, a collaborative performance organized in an effort to promote gun violence prevention through music and art. I am currently researching proposed solutions including policies to expand background checks, and will be submitting a Letter to the Editor of my local newspaper to help educate the community on the issue and suggest ways to get involved.

I am part of the first generation of students who has grown up with Lockdown Drills at school and so it makes sense that I have grown into an advocate for gun violence prevention, but I also feel it is...

Join Now to View Premium Content

GradeSaver provides access to 2368 study guide PDFs and quizzes, 11018 literature essays, 2792 sample college application essays, 926 lesson plans, and ad-free surfing in this premium content, “Members Only” section of the site! Membership includes a 10% discount on all editing orders.

Join Now

Already a member? Log in