On Thursday, Nov. 30 students in the Theatre Pathway preformed three onstage readings about gun violence to middle schoolers during Periods 8 and 9. The readings all had messages involving gun violence and the negative way in which guns affect our society today. Here are the stories:
“A call for help” by Pepper Fox, read by: Juan Valdez, Jules Guevara, Jahanna Hicks, Chelsie DeDios, Kevin Garcia and Ashley Tofino, narrated by Ciclaly Flores, gave listeners the view point of three different 9-1-1 calls that included gun violence. The first caller accidentally shot their best friend when playing a game and calls 9-1-1, mortified by the events. The second of a girl who was planning on hurting herself in the events of not being able to handle life. Finally the third call is to a hotel where someone has opened fired within the building. All three stories have sentimental value as all three happen almost every day.
“Lightning Strike” by Amanda Flagan, read by: Legend and Legacy Surita-Aviles, narrated by Ciclaly Flores, gave listeners the view point of a little girl living with the horrible memories of her lockdown in school years ago. Losing a friend she was close to and losing any hope of getting better, the girl grows up and becomes a journalist, never able to escape the headlines of school shootings around the world.
“The smiles behind” by Niarra C. Bell, read by: Angelie Aguilar, Lina Popoca, and Adlyn Correa-Pagan, narrated by Alexis Garcia, tells students of a story of a young teenage boy running away from a cop in fear when his sister steps in. Asking the cop why he was chasing her brother and why he was reaching for his gun gave students the chills when they find out the young boy was harmless running in fear protected by his sister who died in a shooting at a neighborhood park. The story ends when the officer promises to take the young male home safe.
The assembly ended with the counselors and Officer Lisa Stansfield doing an open panel for middle school students to ask questions and interact with the stories read by the actors.
See our VIDEO, above.
