Surviving students from the Parkland's shootings have honored the therapy dogs that have helped them through the traumatic time with their very own yearbook page.
The 14 capable canines of a range of different breeds, made their appearance in the Aerie Yearbook for the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, where a 19-year-old former student opened fire in February 2018, killing 17 students and teachers, and injuring 17 others.
But the likes of Gail Policella, Sophie Levy, Annie Sultenfuss, River Haneski and Grace Goodwill are all doing their best to help the students through the horrors they witnessed last year, but Schooner Davis stole the show with his adorable little bow tie.
People who found out about the yearbook were touched, but the reality of the dogs' necessity at the school was not lost on some tweeters, with some lamenting the fact that therapy dogs at a school due to a school shooting was such a bizarre situation to be in.
All the same, while the scars from the Parkland Shooting last year may take a long time to heal, these 14 dogs are doing their level best to soothe the pain of the students and staff involved - as well as our pain as well.
This Valentine's Day marks the one-year anniversary of the mass shooting at Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Texas. A lone gunman entered the school armed with an AR-15 and killed 17 students and teachers before getting apprehended by authorities. His defense team offered a guilty plea in exchange for life in prison without the possibility of parole. Prosecutors rejected the plea because they still seek the death penalty. A lengthy trial seems inevitable.
After mass shootings, the perpetrators tend to attract a lot of attention, while the victims go overlooked. On February 14, 2018, seventeen lives were cruelly snuffed out, devastating seventeen families and seventeen circles of friends. 14-year-old Alyssa Alhadeff was one of those victims. For Valentine's Day, her mother, Lori, wrote a heartbreaking letter to her deceased daughter, reminiscing about the last time they saw each other:
"It’s Valentine’s Day. A day full of love, chocolates and flowers. For me, it is more than that now. Last Valentine’s Day was the last time I saw you. You wore a black and white dress. Your long dark hair dangled. Your makeup looked just right. Of course, your white Converse sneakers protected your feet as you walked in to Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School."
"Valentine’s Day is now about memories. Today, like all days, I remember. I remember you weren’t looking forward to going to school that day. Like many 14 year old girls, you wanted a Valentine and were disappointed that you didn’t have one. High school love is magic. I was 14 once and those butterflies had whirled inside of me too. I wanted that for you.
"I remember the golden gift bag I gave you that morning. It held a pair of diamond earrings to make you feel pretty, a chocolate bar to make you smile, and hair ties so you wouldn’t ask for mine. I touched your ears, putting the stems of the earrings through your lobes. You said you were ready to go to school after that. You opened the car door. 'I love you,' I said. 'I love you, too,' you said.
Lori goes on to describe the impact of Alyssa's loss. The family misses her terribly, and "Dad fights for you every day. He is your voice." Her soccer team honors her memory by wearing her number '8' on their sleeves, sometimes turning it sideways to symbolize 'infinity.' In a very mom moment, she reveals that she discovered that Alyssa once jumped off a bridge by the beach. ("Alyssa, you jumped off a bridge?!") And in a touching passage, Lori describes how she found healing through activism.
"There are things I do in your memory that I never thought I could or would ever do. See, a mother’s protective instincts don’t leave when we lose the ones we love. I talk to other moms who have lost children. We talk about you. We talk about their kids. But when we look into each other’s eyes, we see it. A fire. I ran for the school board. I won! I screamed on national TV - words of rage directed at the President! I started a non-profit called Make Our Schools Safe and there is a law named after you in New Jersey--Alyssa’s Law...
"It’s Valentine’s Day. As I remember you, grief washes over me. But that grief emboldens me to fight for change. I wish I could take all the bullets for you. It’s been a year since I saw you. You, in that black and white dress, those Converse on your feet, and that smile. I’ll never forget that smile. It feels like yesterday. I just want you back.
On CNN, anchor Brooke Baldwin teared up while reading Lori's letter, which was published on an online project called Dear World. While the victims of the Parkland massacre are gone, they are not forgotten, as their memories and spirits live on.
One year on from the tragic shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, the wound still feels fresh both to the friends and families of the victims and to the US as a whole.
A total of fourteen students and three teachers were killed. In many cases, those who lost their lives did so while saving others. Below are each of the 17 victims, who today are remembered and mourned for by their loved ones.
Carmen Schentrup
Carmen Schentrup, 16, was a National Merit Scholar semifinalist. "Marjory Stoneman Douglas had 10 students qualify as semifinalists for 2018, which is the second year in a row 10 students have qualified," the Eagle Eye student blog stated. "Rest In Peace Carmen Schentrup," read a tweet by @pranatiishahone the day after her death. "Your family is forever in my thoughts and prayers. I'm so sorry."
Meadow Pollack
Eighteen-year-old Meadow Pollack was planning to go to college and had been offered a place at Lynn University in Boca Raton. She was remembered in an online guestbook kept by Star of David Memorial Gardens. "Please accept my deepest condolences on the loss of your beautiful daughter, Meadow. May she rest in peace. Your family is in my continued prayers," said Alisa Thomas of Youngstown, Ohio. "Please say a prayer for the family of an amazing girl I got to call my best friend growing up Meadow Pollack," friend GII Lovito said on Facebook. "Her life was taken way too soon and I have no words to describe how this feels. Rest In Peace my beautiful angel."
Alex Schachter
Alex Schachter, 14, played baritone in the school marching band and trombone in the orchestra, the Sun-Sentinel reported. "I felt he really had a bright future on the trombone," explained Alexander Kaminsky, director of bands at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. "In an effort to continue his memory, this scholarship is being created to help other students experience the joys of music as well as fund increased security at schools. Please help keep Alex's spirit alive," reads a GoFundMe page set up by Alex's parents. "The money raised will be sent to the Stoneman Douglas Marching Eagles."
Alyssa Alhadeff
Alyssa Alhadeff, 14, played for Parkland Travel Soccer. Alyssa's mother, Lori Alhadeff, told HLN she dropped her daughter off at school on the day of the shooting and said "I love you". By the time she made it back to the school, Alyssa had succumbed to her injuries. "I knew at that point she was gone. I felt it in my heart," she said. "Alyssa was a beautiful, smart, talented, successful, awesome, amazing soccer player. You'll be greatly missed, Alyssa. We love you so much. You'll always, always be in our hearts."
Scott Beigel
Scott Beigel, 35, was a geography teacher who lost his life as he attempted to secure students in his classroom. "Mr. Beigel was my hero and he still will forever be my hero. I will never forget the actions that he took for me and for fellow students in the classroom," said his former student Kelsey Friend. "I am alive today because of him." The 35-year-old was also a counsellor at Camp Starlight in Pennsylvania.
Jaime Guttenberg
Jaime Guttenberg 14, was remembered by her school, her friends and her family. "My heart is broken," wrote her father on Facebook. "Yesterday, Jennifer Bloom Guttenberg and I lost our baby girl to a violent shooting at her school. We lost our daughter and my son Jesse Guttenberg lost his sister." He added: "Hold your children tight."
Peter Wang
Peter Wang, 15, was a member of the junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC). He was holding a door open to help other students escape when he was shot. A White House petition asking for him to be buried with military honours gained thousands of signatures. "His selfless and heroic actions have led to the survival of dozens in the area," the petition stated.
Chris Hixon
Chris Hixon, 49, was the school wrestling coach. He was known for giving rides or lunch money to students who needed it. He had an open-door policy both in and outside of the school. "Every one of those students he thought of as his own kid," his widow Debra explained. Hixon was also a naval reservist and served in Iraq in 2007.
Luke Hoyer
Fifteen-year-old Luke Hoyer was "a good kid" who "never got in trouble", according to his grandmother Janice Stroud. "The day went by and we didn't hear anything about Luke. We kept hoping they would find him wandering around in shock," she explained. "By 7 o'clock, I said, 'I don't like this. This is not good,'" her husband Eddie said. "Finally, (police) called us at 1 a.m. and said Luke was among the students that had been killed." Relative Mary Beth Stroud-Gibbs posted on Facebook: "Our Luke was a precious child."
Gina Montalto
Gina Montalto, 14, was a member of the school's marching band."Unfortunately, one of the victims in yesterday's St. Valentine's Day Massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School was a member of the school's winter guard," stated The Winter Guard International. "No student should ever go to school afraid." Her aunt, Shawn Sherlock, wrote on Facebook: "I know somewhere in the heavens she's designing the latest and greatest trends and has her art book she always carried with her as well."
Martin Duque Anguiano
Martin Duque Anguiano was 14 when he died."He was a very funny kid, outgoing, and sometimes really quiet. He was sweet and caring and loved by all his family. Most of all he was my baby brother," his brother Miguel said on the GoFundMe page which was set up to cover his funeral expenses. "My family and I have no words to describe the event that's has happened on this date, all my prayers to the lost ones. My family and I will appreciate anything that we can get helped with. R.I.P Martin Duque."
Nicholas Dworet
Nicholas Dworet was a 17-year-old student who was to join the University of Indianapolis. A celebrated swimmer, he was remembered by the college which had hoped to count him amongst its freshman intake. "Nick's death is a reminder that we are connected to the larger world, and when tragedy hits in places around the world, it oftentimes affects us at home," said Robert L Manuel, University of Indianapolis president. "Today, and in the coming days, I hope you will hold Nick, his family, all of the victims, as well as the Parkland community and first responders in your prayers."
Aaron Feis
Assistant football coach Aaron Feis died when the 37-year-old put himself between students and a spray of bullets. "He died the same way he lived - he put himself second," said football programme spokesperson Denis Lehtio. "He was a very kind soul, a very nice man. He died a hero." Chad Lyons was a student and football player who said Feis helped him when he was going through leukaemia treatments: "He guided me through them. He would send me prayers. He would send me Bible scripts and just stuff to cheer up my day. Funny memes." He added: "He was just an amazing person to be led on and taught by, and I'm thankful enough to even be in his presence, just going through high school."
Cara Loughran
Cara Loughran, 14, danced with the Drake School of Irish Dance in South Florida. "Cara was a beautiful soul and always had a smile on her face," the dance studio said in a statement. "We are heartbroken as we send our love and support to her family during this horrible time." Friends, family and neighbours posted tributes online. "It is with a heavy heart and much regret that I write these words. Our next-door neighbor's daughter was one of the lives taken [too] soon by a senseless act of violence at Stoneman Douglas High School," stated Danny Vogel on Facebook. "RIP Cara, and fly with the angels. You will be greatly missed, and we will always love you and celebrate your beautiful life."
Joaquin Oliver
Originally from Venezuela, 17-year-old Joaquin Oliver moved to the US when he was three. Known as Guac, he was a keen football and basketball player. With a graffiti artist as a father, he also had interests in street art and hip hop. His last ever Instagram post was a message to his girlfriend. "Thank you lord for putting a greater blessing than I could ever imagine into my life this past year," he said. "I love you with all my heart."
Alaina Petty
Also a member of the junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC), Alaina Petty had volunteered in the cleanup following Hurricane Irma. She was involved with the Church of Latter-day Saints' Helping Hands programme. "Alaina loved to serve," her family said of the 14-year-old. "While we will not have the opportunity to watch her grow up and become the amazing woman we know she would become, we are keeping an eternal perspective."
Helena Ramsay
Helena Ramsay was 17 when she died. "My family lost an absolutely beautiful member today, due to a senseless school shooting," Curtis Page Jr said in a Facebook post. "Helena was a smart, kind hearted, and thoughtful person. She was deeply loved and loved others even more so. Though she was some what reserved, she had a relentless motivation towards her academic studies, and her soft warm demeanor brought the best out in all who knew her. She was so brilliant and witty, and I'm still wrestling with the idea that she is actually gone."
Since the tragic events of 14 February, 2018, nearly 1,200 children have been shot in the US. This is according to data collected by nonprofit gun violence newsroom The Trace. Meanwhile, according to Gun Violence Archive, there have been 1,654 gun-related deaths (excluding suicides) and 37 mass shootings (with four or more people shot, excluding the shooter) in the US this year alone. Sadly, by the time this article is published, those figures may have increased.
The perpetrator of the Parkland shooting, Nikolas Cruz, was indicted by a grand jury on 34 charges on 7 March last year. They were 17 counts of first-degree murder and 17 counts of attempted first-degree murder. However, the legal proceedings have only just begun and there are still questions surrounding whether Cruz will receive the death penalty.
It's been over a month since the deadly school shooting in Parkland, Florida, which took the lives of 17 people. But in the wake of yet another massacre, a movement has arisen. The surviving students have emerged as passionate advocates for change. After making memorable appearances in the media, their powerful voices have reignited a national debate over gun control. Even when conspiracy theorists try to smear the teenagers as "crisis actors," they have stood strong.
We've already seen some change. Large sporting good stores have banned assault-style weapons and Florida passed a bill that will restrict some rights for gun buyers. The minimum age for buying a rifle will be raised to 21, jump stocks will be banned and it will be easier for police to confiscate weapons from people with a history of violent behavior.
More change may be on the way. Last week high school students all over the United States participated in National Walkout Day. They walked out of class for seventeen minutes - one minute for each Parkland victim - to raise awareness of the epidemic of gun violence in America. (And some of them were punished). This week there's another event. On March 24, the survivors are throwing the March for Our Lives, a rally in Washington D.C. to demand that safety becomes a priority and we bring an end to school shootings.
The kids haven't escaped the noticed the notice the former President and First Lady, Barack and Michelle Obama. In February, Michelle Obama tweeted her support, saying "I’m in total awe of the extraordinary students in Florida."
Now it has been revealed that the First Couple sent a handwritten letter to the survivors. Dated March 10, 2018, they praise the teens for "awakening the conscience of the nation" and "challenging decision-makers" to take action. They admit "there may be setbacks," but in the long run, their activism will make "an enormous difference." Here is the full text:
We wanted to let you know how inspired we have been by the resilience, resolve and solidarity that you have all shown in the wake of unspeakable tragedy.
Not only have you supported and comforted each other, but you’ve helped awaken the conscience of the nation, and challenged decision-makers to make the safety of our children the country’s top priority.
Throughout our history, young people like you have led the way in making America better. There may be setbacks; you may sometimes feel like progress is too slow in coming. But we have no doubt you are going to make an enormous difference in the days and years to come, and we will be there for you.
The 2018 Valentine's Day massacre at Stoneman Douglas High School was the deadliest school shooting in history, claiming the lives of 17 students and staff and leaving another 17 injured.
This prompted mass calls for America's gun laws to be reformed. At the forefront of which were the surviving students from Parkland, Florida who used their experience as a force for good.
In the video below, two of the founders from the March for Our Lives explain tell their story:
Tragically, just over a year later, a second surviving student has completed suicide, the Miami Herald reports.
The incident, which was described by the Miami Herald as an "apparent suicide", happened on Saturday night.
While the student's name has yet to be released, they are reported to have been a sophomore at the school.
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The news comes just a week after classmate Sydney Aiello, pictured above, 19, also took her own life.
Aiello's best friend, 17-year-old Meadow Pollock, died in the shooting. She was subsequently diagnosed with PTSD and "survivor's guilt", the Daily Mail reports.
[[imagecaption|| Credit: Facebook / GoFundMe]]
These deaths bring the death toll from the 2018 massacre to 19.
If you or someone you know is in a crisis, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline on 1-800-273-8255.
Yesterday, at least 17 people were killed and a further 14 were injured after a teenager open-fired at a crowd congregated outside the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. The shooter, Nikolas Cruz, had been expelled from the Parkland school last year, and was captured alive before being taken into custody.
Broward County Sheriff, Scott Israel, said that Cruz was believed to have been armed with a semiautomatic weapon, and had come prepared with multiple magazines. He described the crime as a "horrific, detestable act," and added that law enforcement were looking into the teenager's "very, very disturbing" social media profiles in order to give them some idea of his motive.
Since then, some images from his Instagram account have emerged, and they are as chilling as Israel warned.
Several images show the 19-year-old killer posing with knives and guns, almost always with his face concealed.
Other posts show the young man's gun collection, and one image even shows him asking for advice on whether or not he should purchase a particular weapon.
"I plan on getting this but I need more information on it so if someone could give advice ... please to god let me know," he wrote alongside the image of a Maverick shotgun. He also commented later on saying that he needed it "for hunting".
According to reports, Cruz was a known threat to students at the school. One math teacher, Jim Guard, said: "We were told last year that he wasn't allowed on campus with a backpack on him," adding that, "there were problems with him last year threatening students, and I guess he was asked to leave campus."
What's more, several students have said that they were not entirely shocked by the revelation that it was Cruz who had committed the horrific attack.
Brandon Minoff, a student who had once been in the same classes as Cruz, said that it was "surreal" to hear that the 19-year-old had been named as the shooter, but added that he "wasn't surprised" by the news.
"I got paired with him for a project, and he started talking to me about his life — how he was held back twice, expelled from two private schools. He likes to do reckless stuff," Minoff said. "He had aspirations to join the military. He enjoyed hunting."
Another student, Matthew Walker, told reporters that "A lot of kids threw jokes around saying that he was going to be the one to shoot up the school. It turns out that everyone predicted it. That's crazy."
"He was going class to class just shooting at random kids," Walker said. "Everything he posts [on social media] is about weapons. It's sick."
Cruz was also found to have posted several pictures of mutilated animals, and comments traced to accounts belonging to him on YouTube showed that he had made threatening statements about killing people.
"I whana [sic] shoot people with my AR-15," said one comment. "I wanna die Fighting killing s**t ton of people," read another. Cruz was even found to have specifically targeted members of law enforcement, writing: "I am going to kill law enforcement one day they go after the good people" in the comments of one video.
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This is the eighth school shooting this year in the USA, and has once again sparked discussion about gun laws in the USA.
"Are we coming to expect these mass shootings to be routine? And then after every one we say ‘enough is enough’ and then it continues to happen?" said Florida congressman, Bill Nelson, on Wednesday.
Five of the people shot yesterday are still in a critical condition after sustaining life-threatening injuries.
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