When Will It Stop? Tragedy at Overbrook High School
By Taylor Accooe
On Thursday April 11, 2013 at approximately 3:45 pm, our school experienced a tragedy that left a deep impact on almost everyone. What started as a fight across the street at Tustin’s playground turned deadly, 17-year old Bernard School was shot after a fight broke out and five people pulled on each other. At least four shots were fired and one of the bullets struck and killed him, a Good Samaritan saw him and rushed him to Lankenau hospital where he unfortunately died. The next day here at our school was not a normal one at all. Where I am used to seeing smiling faces and laughter, I was greeted by sobbing, people paying their respects to Bernard by writing on his locker, those who were close to Bernard seeking help in our IMC and two of his friends in particular were about to fight over him. However on Tuesday the following week, an assembly took place outside our school. Everyone came together to honor Bernard; his closest friends shared their thoughts on his final moments. One of our teachers, Rosa Rosado, said that he offered to clean her chalkboard after school and said that Bernard called her a good teacher and that he loved her this one was one of the most touching speeches of the hour. There were also performances from students, speeches from special guests and a few words from our principal who included this memorable statement “This is representative of our young people! All of our young people are not thugs! All of our young people are not criminals!” No doubt about it the tragic loss of Bernard Scott will leave a big impact on Overbrook High School as a whole, it could also open up questions of school safety. But I’m my opinion, the biggest question will be haunt us until the end of time is WHEN WILL IT STOP?
By Taylor Accooe
On Thursday April 11, 2013 at approximately 3:45 pm, our school experienced a tragedy that left a deep impact on almost everyone. What started as a fight across the street at Tustin’s playground turned deadly, 17-year old Bernard School was shot after a fight broke out and five people pulled on each other. At least four shots were fired and one of the bullets struck and killed him, a Good Samaritan saw him and rushed him to Lankenau hospital where he unfortunately died. The next day here at our school was not a normal one at all. Where I am used to seeing smiling faces and laughter, I was greeted by sobbing, people paying their respects to Bernard by writing on his locker, those who were close to Bernard seeking help in our IMC and two of his friends in particular were about to fight over him. However on Tuesday the following week, an assembly took place outside our school. Everyone came together to honor Bernard; his closest friends shared their thoughts on his final moments. One of our teachers, Rosa Rosado, said that he offered to clean her chalkboard after school and said that Bernard called her a good teacher and that he loved her this one was one of the most touching speeches of the hour. There were also performances from students, speeches from special guests and a few words from our principal who included this memorable statement “This is representative of our young people! All of our young people are not thugs! All of our young people are not criminals!” No doubt about it the tragic loss of Bernard Scott will leave a big impact on Overbrook High School as a whole, it could also open up questions of school safety. But I’m my opinion, the biggest question will be haunt us until the end of time is WHEN WILL IT STOP?