Editor’s note: The following is by Brenda Celaya, a student at San Miguel High School who works in the Star’s newsroom through the school’s Corporate Work Study Program. Brenda shared her speech, below, with Star staff, and agreed to let us share it with readers. She helped lead her school’s reaction to the National School Walkout on March 14 in response to the school shooting in Parkland, Florida. San Miguel students gathered, shared information about what happened in Florida and the gun debate, expressed their opinions, sent messages or called their elected officials, created art and, “for the students who believed that the most productive way to help out was through prayer,” Brenda said, included a place for prayer and meditation.
Brenda explained, “Being part of the San Miguel High School community means you believe in unity, respect and refinements. When we in the student body heard about the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, we decided to take action. There were so many ideas and opinions we wanted to share with others, as much as with each other. ...
We did what we thought would be the most effective. As teenagers, we are constantly big targets. It was time to stand up and do something about it. We are fully aware we’re not the biggest school, but we also know we have loud voices that just had to be heard. There have been countless high school attacks in the past few years. I wanted us to be the first generation of students to change that. You can’t expect change if you don’t start it. I’m really proud of San Miguel for taking the initiative. All of our voices were heard, even though they were in different ways. I believe in us, and I know as a fact we’ll continue to always do the right thing and make sure to help others along the way.
Time goes by fast. Things inevitably change. People come and go in your life.
I guess what I’m trying to say is that the life our parents had is very different than the one we have.
As teenagers, we go through a lot. We’re sleep-deprived. Some of us are having problems at home. Maybe you’re constantly depressed and you can’t seem to find a more positive environment for your emotions. Or maybe your life has just become too stressful because you’re constantly worrying about what the future holds.
At our young age, we feel like life is overwhelming. Some of us find school like an escape from reality. I mean, sure, it has its cons, but the pros outnumber them. Your friends are here — they’re people who you constantly talk to about your problems, and they listen.
Maybe it’s the distraction this place brings that makes it an escape. Or it’s just your teacher who makes each day exciting. I can’t believe how privileged we are. Imagine how scary it must be to go back to a school where such a tragedy has happened. You no longer have an escape.
It’s very despairing to imagine how kids are afraid to even show up at school. It’s sad to say we don’t even feel safe in a place we go to educate ourselves to make a difference.
Honestly, the worst part of it is that something as big as a shooting, which killed 17 wonderful people who had the same aspirations and dedication to change the world like we have, had to die in order for everyone to realize that something was wrong and that it had to change.
There are so many different opinions and actions that people are deciding to make. Personally, I believe that you can’t expect a change to magically appear if you’re not the one to take action first. Just think about it. If the clouds hadn’t taken some water from the ocean and let it rain, the beautiful and scented flowers you see every day wouldn’t have sprouted. It might sound ridiculous. You might be asking yourself, “How can a young student like me” make change?
Well, that’s easy. Start putting all of your faith in yourself, the same way you’d tuck a seed in soil, by gently embracing yourself and believing you are someone. You can grow, and the beauty of your actions will inspire others to see your colorful petals and make them want to start a garden of their own.
Everything you do has an impact. And you are someone. Maybe no one has told you that today. You might be in the dark and like to keep your heart locked. The past might’ve made you the timid person you are today. For you, speaking out might be the most terrifying experience. You let your fears control your body. And that’s natural. It’s OK to be scared. It’s human. But don’t let that fear keep you as an eternal prisoner.
If you want to take baby steps, go ahead. There’s no one rushing you. I know the students in this school tend to keep their opinions to themselves. We like to put in the dark our ideas so that other people won’t judge them. We don’t ever express our feelings.
Are we really united, then? Are we really a community if we can’t even communicate with each other? We need to talk about our feelings. I encourage you to be the person you want to be. Say the words you want to say, because we need to be the generation that dares to change things for the better.
Because if it’s not us, who will it be?
