As I was studying in my apartment at the University of Texas at Austin 1,307 miles away from my home in Florida, I received several texts and fearful alerts on my phone. I immediately became paralyzed within moments of learning the disturbing news happening 15 minutes from my hometown. Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School was under attack of a school shooting. This tragedy hit very close to home in more ways than one.

I heard updates from friends and family back in Boca Raton, even before it was broadcasted on the news. After sporadically receiving these updates, watching CNN attentively, and viewing raw footage via Snapchat videos, the events of what happened on February 14, 2018, all fell into place. A Valentines Day that will live in infamy; a day not only to appreciate your loved ones a little more, but to also send love and prayers to the families and friends affected by the horrific events that took place.

Unfortunately, this isn’t the first time I experienced something like this. When the Sandy Hook School shooting took place on December 14, 2012, I was attending Coleytown Middle School in Westport, CT, which is just thirty-five minutes south of Newtown. I was sitting in my eighth-grade Language Arts class when the loudspeaker announced the dreadful news.

Fast forward four years later, the Fort Lauderdale Airport shooting took place on January 6, 2017, where 40 students and six staff members of my high school, Saint Andrew’s School located in Boca Raton, FL, were at the airport under attack. Thankfully, everyone was safe, but very shaken up to say the least.

Too many stories. Too close to home. Too important to ignore.

We are living through a vicious cycle.

One day, one person decides to go out and complete an act of utter violence on innocent people and children. The Earth shatters. Hearts are broken forever. Thoughts and prayers are sent to those affected by the tragedy. The families of the victims are left distraught. Comfort and support pour in far and wide from their communities. Updates are heard through Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat, and everyone hashtags #____strong. Days, weeks, and months go by, and the city rebuilds itself. Some people slowly start to forget about the horrific events, while others are still struggling to get out of bed and get back to their daily lives. But, after this part, nothing happens.

This is where we need CHANGE. We need to take ACTION.

It is way too easy for similar events to continue to happen again and again. Acts like this actually have the power of numbing people to how significant the tragedy truly is. It should not be easier to purchase a gun than to purchase alcohol. Action is required.

There should be no religion, race, gender, or political differences that divide us on this issue. We are Americans, and we are human beings who should be able to send their loved ones off to school without worrying. We have a right to keep ourselves and our family and friends safe. All these innocent lives were taken too soon with bright futures ahead, and it is utterly sickening. No one should fear going to an airport, a concert, a movie…do I even need to go on? After something tragic like this, most people will have no words, but I have words, and I believe they need to be read before the next time something like this occurs.