An Open Letter To Skyline High School | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Health and Wellness

An Open Letter To Skyline High School

You Are Loved.

1217
An Open Letter To Skyline High School
The Institute for Faith, Work, and Economics

Four years ago, world-famous evangelist Nick Vujicic came to Utah. It was a big event. Nick, an evangelical, met with Mormon leaders to discuss faith and even spent a night speaking in the tabernacle. He also visited numerous Utah middle and high schools while simulcasting with about 200 others, speaking against bullying and suicide and inspiring students to choose life.

My school (Skyline High School) decided not to join the simulcast. Hindsight is 20/20. How could they know?

18 months later, I remember exactly where I was. It was second period on a B day; I was sitting in the third row in AP Environmental Science. The principal came over the speaker announcing that a fellow senior was dead. It was a suicide. I heard his best friend run past our room weeping. The class froze; the bell rang; we hollowly sauntered to lunch. Various students of faith offered up prayers, but we got the feeling it was too late. Snap your fingers, and he’s gone. But we couldn’t snap out of it.

Choosing what I am most proud of about my high school is easy. At Devin Wolfe’s funeral, his Young Life leader remarked, “I love you Devin, but I hate your decision.” My senior class wore this motto with conviction.

The next day everyone wore red – it was Devin’s favorite color. He was a tremendous musician and artist. Stickers of some of his art circulated around the school on the backs of phone cases or textbook covers. And while we remembered and missed Devin, we did not condone his act. No one else copy-catted – we made that unacceptable. The day after the news broke, we walked into school to find taped on every single locker a simple note: “You Are Loved.” No one ever learned who put those notes up, but whoever did is a hero.

My AP English teacher keeps her note on the front of her podium. Even when I visited a year after graduation, it was still there. It is a daily reminder: we matter, we are loved. I wonder if Andrew Garcia didn’t see the note.

Last week, Andrew Garcia, an exceptional soccer player and student of Skyline High School, committed suicide. It was the same story: talented student, same school, suicide. Does the school’s decision to skip Vujicic’s simulcast four years ago still plague it? Did the senior class’s resilience from two years ago even leave an impact?

One mustn’t ask these questions. The answers don’t exist. But one must arise and face the day. That is hard. And so to any students at my alma mater: I know where you are at. I know it’s heart-wrenching and seems impossible to move on. But I believe in you, and I am praying for you.

You are loved.

Be Thou my vision, O Lord of my heart

Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art…

Heart of my own heart whatever befall

Still be my vision O Ruler of all

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Blair Waldorf Quote
"DESTINY IS FOR LOSERS. IT'S JUST A STUPID EXCUSE TO WAIT FOR THINGS TO HAPPEN INSTEAD OF MAKING THEM HAPPEN." - BLAIR WALDORF.

The world stopped in 2012 when our beloved show "Gossip Girl" ended. For six straight years, we would all tune in every Monday at 9:00 p.m. to see Upper Eastside royalty in the form of a Burberry headband clad Blair Waldorf. Blair was the big sister that we all loved to hate. How could we ever forget the epic showdowns between her and her frenemy Serena Van Der Woodsen? Or the time she banished Georgina Sparks to a Christian summer camp? How about that time when she and her girls took down Bart Bass? Blair is life. She's taught us how to dress, how to be ambitious, and most importantly, how to throw the perfect shade.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

11 Moments Every College Freshman Has Experienced

Because we made it, and because high school seniors deserve to know what they're getting themselves into

101
too tired to care

We've all been there. From move-in day to the first finals week in college, your first term is an adventure from start to finish. In honor of college decisions coming out recently, I want to recap some of the most common experiences college freshmen experience.

1. The awkward hellos on move-in day.

You're moving your stuff onto your floor, and you will encounter people you don't know yet in the hallway. They live on your floor, so you'll awkwardly smile and maybe introduce yourself. As you walk away, you will wonder if they will ever speak to you again, but don't worry, there's a good chance that you will make some great friends on your floor!

Keep Reading...Show less
laptop
Unsplash

The college years are a time for personal growth and success. Everyone comes in with expectations about how their life is supposed to turn out and envision the future. We all freak out when things don't go exactly as planned or when our expectations are unmet. As time goes on, we realize that the uncertainty of college is what makes it great. Here are some helpful reminders about life in college.

Keep Reading...Show less
students
rowanuniversitypublications / Flickr

1. "If I'm wearing black tomorrow, it's because I'm mourning my grade."

2. "Do you want to try ordering Chinese takeout to take back to the stacks?"

3. "This final paper has me questioning if this professor just sucks or is Satan himself."

4. "Is that person over there OK? They've been sleeping for a while."

5. "Why are you online shopping?"

"I want to motivate myself to study."

"Since when do you have money to buy something anyway?"

6. "I wonder how much I could make as a stripper."

7. "There are no stress relief dogs, and I feel conned. My stress today is worse than yesterday."

8. "Rate My Professor screwed me over."

9. "I wore these clothes yesterday, and maybe even the day before, but it's fine."

10. "I wonder if I could sneak a beer in here."

11. "I just really want chocolate chip cookies."

students
Sophia Palmerine

Dear High School Friend Group,

My sweet angels, where would I be without you guys. We all grew up together because we either met in middle school or high school and watched each other grow up and get "old." We got to go to prom together and then graduate together. Then watched each other as we continued our lives in college, joining sororities and meeting people who will impact our lives forever. It all has happened so fast.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments