National Coverage of a Local Tragedy

Earlier this month, western Massachusetts, normally a valley of calm co-habitation between all kinds of people, was torn apart by a local tragedy. The death of 15-year-old Phoebe Prince, allegedly due to bullying which occurred both inside and out of her South Hadley school shook community members into awareness of high school bullying.

Unfortunately, Phoebe’s story is not nearly the first to end in such a way. Less than a year ago, another young student, 11-year-old Carl Walker-Hoove, committed suicide by hanging himself – the same method that Phoebe used – because he was bullied at school. A Springfield native, Walker-Hoove attended a charter school, and his untimely death hit home in the Pioneer Valley community.

While there are resources to aid those who are struggling with depression or suicide, as well as their families and friends, such as the reports issued through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, this information often comes too late to help those you people who wish to take their lives.

In these two most recent cases, members of the schools and towns have been left picking up the pieces of these children’s lives, and vowing to remember them in candlelight vigils and memorial services. It is hoped that the bullying and harassment that takes place throughout the country will soon be eliminated, and that young students can feel comfortable going to school in peace.