Taking Sports to the
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Contents Photo credits: https://pixabay.com/en/mountain-peak-summit-altitude-top-690104/
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Creating Careers J. Everett Light Career Center programs and certifications offer students new course opportunities.
Artist Spotlight Student Madeline Runyon discusses her inspirations behind art and how she creates her project.
Taking Sports to the Extreme Origins and draw to extreme and outdoor sports revealed.
The Orb Staff Advisers
Design Editor
Jordan Klobusnik David Young
Luke Molloy
Editor-in-Chief
Grace Barclay Laurel Black Ethan Blake Lilian Connelly Grace Dix Emma Eggers Evelyn Eggers Katelyn Hartman Kersti Hash Skylar Hettenbach Isabelle Johnson Lauren Kilburn Evelyn Lahr Cameron Miller Hayden Sisemore Olivia Smith Kiara Thomas-Powell Sarah Woodward
Staffers
Makenna Sisemore
Online Editor Christina Poetz
Editors MacKenzie Barclay Andrea Bautista Eliana Bucklin Marissa Hubbard Ilene Marzke Britta Seland Laura Stancato Jennifer Turock Lilyan Wray
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To the Extreme, cont. Students share experiences with extreme sports, as well as the challenges and rewards they bring.
Secrets of Suess Theories of hidden political messages in Dr. Suess’s children’s books.
A Safe Conversation Fishers Police Lt. Mike Johnson provides insight on school safety.
Orb Senior Tributes Now Available This year’s Senior issue of the Orb now features Senior Tribute! 1/4 page $25 1/2 page $50 Contact Business Manager Kiara Thomas-Powell at thomakia000@hsestudents.org to reserve a Senior Tribute today!
Sweeping the Spotlight New game Fortnite gains popularity
Photo from Flickr
What makes Fortnite different?
“The learning curve makes it fun. There’s so many different strategies and ways to play the game that makes it different than other battle royale games.” Connor Freeman, 12
“It is all about the competition. There’s no ‘congrats you got 2nd place,’ it’s 1st and only 1st and it’s a great feeling when you’ve [won].” Lauren Morris, 10
People who grew up in the late 2000’s might know popular YouTube sensation PewDiePie as a name in gaming culture. But, in the years that have passed there has been a slight decline in interest regarding gaming YouTubers. However, in the beginning of 2018 there was sudden spike in demand for gaming videos, centralized around one game: Fortnite. What about it makes it so intriguing to the public, who seem completely worn out on traditional YouTube gamers? Fortnite began as a PC game and its popularity has grown since then. The first person shooter game, with cartoon graphics and ability to build, is gaining traction. It has grown more since the release of a console version, Battle Royale, where players are dropped into an environment with up to 100 other people and must fight, build, and survive to be the last player standing. This large scale update makes the more game complex and therefore more interesting. Senior Andrew Carl, who has been playing Fortnite since its release, enjoys competing with friends and enjoys video games of different genres. “There have been plenty of previous iterations [of battle royale style], but what sets it apart is the game-play,” Carl said. “It is faster than the other ‘Battle Royales’ and has a building mechanic where you can build a small fort.” This building feature makes Fortnite different from other first-person shooter games and has been the major factor in drawing the game’s popularity. While its competitor, PlayerUnknown’s Battleground, also known as PUBG, has more realistic graphics the lack of a building tool makes consumers believe it to be less desirable. There are also smaller details in the game that attract support from gamers such as junior Autumn Cox. “The character customization is better than most games,” Cox said. “You can choose what your character will look like beyond just a costume” Whether it be the character or structure building, Fortnite is succeeding in all gaming territories, drawing in more players every day. But, will this upward momentum last? Cox doesn’t think so. “It is probably just another fad,” Cox said. “People will still play it after its done being popular, but not as many as there are now.” Story by Evelyn Lahr. HSENews.com
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Creating Careers
Why did you take a JEL offers alternative learning opportunities, JEL class? certifications beyond traditional diploma Certified Nursing Assistant
Students are provided with preparation for an entry-level Nursing Assistant position in health care facilities. Students can earn a CNA certification by passing a qualifying test. “My nursing class is like my family. We’re with each other everyday for three hours. Our teachers and instructors, Mrs. Wood and Mrs. Mason, go above and beyond any teacher I have ever had. They make you feel welcome and want you to do your very best. I plan on becoming a Registered Nurse and eventually a Nurse Practicioner. Regardless, if you want to be in the nursing field this is a very beneficial class to take if you’re generally going into the medical field. It is a great opportunity to start experiencing and seeing if this career path is for you.” Sandeep Kaur, 12
“I want to be a musical artist because I was so inspired by others and I want to reach an artistic level.” Clarence Nelson, 12 Music/Sound Production
Emergency Medical Technician During the first semester, students in the Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) course accomplish tasks needed to save someone’s life in a time of emergency, such as airway management and CPR.
“The EMT class is so fun. We learn EMT skills all year and during second semester we go on clincals to the hospital and in the ambulance where we have to help give care to patients. The teacher is cool and our class is small, so it’s like a little family since we are in there for three periods. The class is so worth it because once you complete the class with your clinicals hours and required testing then you get to use that certification and get a job as a EMT coming right out of high school.” Maya Campbell, 12
Veterinary Assistant
“I’m working towards becoming a nurse. When I was young, I would always care for my grandpa so then I decided when I was five or six that I was going to be a nurse.” Leah Wilkins, 12 CNA Prep
Students in this course are presented with the skills needed to provide assistance and support to veterinarians. Students will learn basic anatomy and physiology, medical terminology and veterinary assisting skills. “The best part about class is during the second semester we get to intern clinically for ten weeks. After third period I go home, put on my scrubs, and go to Log Cabin Animal Hospital. The major parts include medical terminology and animal medical knowledge, as well as experience skills like lifting techniques and radiographic positioning.” Nathan Griffith, 12
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“I’m working towards a mechanical [career] because I am interested in cars.” Matthew Sharp, 12 Auto Maintenance
Mayor’s Youth Council
Students work with the community to improve their education
Photo contributed.
“I like to get involved in the community by donating blood because it’s a nice thing to do for others. My dad always taught me to give back, even if it’s in a small way.” Lauren Dahlager, 12 “Every Sunday I go to Grace Church and service in the ‘lift’ program for kids with disabilities. I have been working as a buddy with a first grader who has Autism.” Cameron Roberts, 10 “I like to volunteer at soup kitchens because being able to directly help others has always brought me joy and keeps me aware of the communities outside of the ‘Fishers Bubble’.” Alyssa Carlson, 10
Within the city of Fishers, a small group of students are a part of the Mayor’s Youth Council in partnership with local schools. The council’s goal is to provide students with more hands-on learning experiences and build awareness of other issues around the city, while also inspiring students to work in the public sector. Both Seniors Ian Nowlin and Riley Huffman are currently part of the council. “[Mayor’s Youth Council] taught me how the city works at an in-depth level and I got the opportunity to meet so many people who were willing to help with our projects,” senior Riley Huffman said. “For example, I got to work with Fishers Parks and Recreation, which led me to what I’m now pursuing in college, Enviromental Science.” The Council also gives students the chance to learn by participating in search and rescue training, working with a local non-profit and working with Mayor Scott Fadness to create a policy that will affect the city’s agencies. While learning about the criminal justice system, students also have the chance to take a tour of the Hamilton County Jail. “My favorite activity was when we visited the Fishers Police Department,” Nowlin said. “We went through a VR simulator that police officers use to train for reallife hostile situations.” Overall, the council helps students build important skills including public speaking, leadership, civic skills and critical thinking to prepare for future jobs. Story by Sarah Woodward. HSENews.com
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Artist Spotlight
Senior Madeline Runyan shares art inspiration Inspiration can light a fire inside people to do what they love; for senior Madeline Runyan, that passion is art. Runyan is currently working on a portfolio in AP Studio Drawing that revolves around her own history and childhood. “Recently, I’ve been inspired by my own history and childhood while working on my concentration portfolio for [AP Studio Drawing],” Runyan said. “What I chose to paint is based upon my childhood memories and the nostalgia I feel through the images that captured these moments.” Runyan has stumbled upon a new way to present her creations. For her concentration portfolio, she is printing photos over pieces of wood and then painting over them. The photos she chooses are the most memorable moments in her life that have stuck with her. Runyan is also working on the four by eight foot portraits students see in the halls. “Art making is a process of inspiration, planning and then execution,” Runyan said. “Sometimes that process can take weeks to finish, so I love the feeling of accomplishment I get from finally finishing something I’ve been working so hard on. It’s very gratifying to see my skills improve over time.” Runyan’s art is thorough and careful. She enjoys using oil paints and graphite for her creations because they allow her to be as detailed as possible. Runyan sees her attention to detail as a strength, but she also recognizes it as one of her weaknesses. Her art has already won a few awards in high school, including two Silver Key Awards in the Scholastic Art and Writing awards. Runyan plans to develop more of relaxed style of painting in college. “In the fall I’ll be attending Herron School of Art and Design at IUPUI studying illustration and graphic design,” Runyan said. “I am excited to attend an art and design school to continue to find my own personal style and have the resources to evolve further as an artist both in school and beyond in wherever my degree may take me.” Story by Christina Poetz. Photos contributed.
Runyan reflects on work
“[This painting] represents the aspects of the memory that are most prominent in my mind. This one is of my two cats that I had as a kid, a defining aspect of my childhood.”
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“[This painting] is based off a photo my mother took of my sister and I at the train station waiting to go to the State Fair in 2007. I’ve always been especially close with my mother and my sister.”
Youth Art Month Senior discusses Youth Art Month
Established in 1961, Youth Art Month promotes art education in grades K-12. Youth Art Month is administrated by The Council for Art Education (CFEA), the program recognizes skills such as problem solving, creativity, observation and communication, behaviors all gained through visual arts. The purpose of the association is to increase the recognition that the arts are important for the development of students. “Art education is very important,” senior Matthew Kunzer said. “Much of what you see has been based around art or even specific artists who leave an incredibly powerful impact. To understand how these things have changed over the years makes you realize how large of a message an artist can carry, and it seems to never end because someone always sparks an idea of another.” To celebrate the importance of art education every year, HSE displays student art in the Capitol building to remind legislators of the importance of art education to students. The district also has a district wide art show during the month of March to showcase the talents of students. “Art is important to me because it consists of a message, or just a piece, that people get to interpret and make things out of, it sparks creativity and curiosity,” Kunzer said. “I like [the art show] to see what artists around me make of their ideas. It’s fun to see other people’s processes.” Donate to help spread awareness of the importance of art education visit the CFEA wesite. Story by Lilyan Wray.
Expression Through Art “I get to choose where I take my assignments and I am not rushed with harsh deadlines” Adam Harper, 10 “Art is mostly a stressreliever for me and a chance to spend time to create something I am proud of.” Sydney Miller, 10 “Art helps me express myself because it lets me show my personality and style.” Ashleigh Havrileskon, 9
Taking Sports to the
EXTREME Extreme sport, outdoor activity origins
In 20th century New Zealand, a group of men originated a new method for seeking adrenaline by tying elastic bands to their ankles and jumping off of bridges. In the 19th century, a determined infantry of cyclists customized their bicycles to travel over rough terrain from Missoula, MT to Yellowstone National Park. In 1913, Greek sponge diver, Stotti Georghios, dove over 60 meters holding onto a giant rock to locate a missing anchor. Little did these people know their innovations would become a lifestyle. Today, extreme sports have carved their way into the mainstream. The ancient Olympics featured sports such as discus,
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footraces. Now, spectators gather to watch extreme sports like windsurfing, snowboarding and BMX biking. Winter extreme sports were on full displayduring the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang. American snowboarder, Chloe Kim, won a gold medal in the ladies half-pipe at just seventeen years old, which makes her the youngest woman to win the Olympic half-pipe. Students, like Kim, get into extreme sports at a young age. Students here at HSE have their own knacks for extreme and outdoor sports, such as long distance hiking and biking off the beaten path. Story by Andrea Bautista. Photo from Google Images.
Photos from Google Images.
Extreme sports gained popularity in the early 1990s with the emergence of the X-Games, an annual event on ESPN that allows athletes to broadcast their talents. Some of the most prevalent extreme sports include wake boarding, skiing, motocross, and mountain biking. Other variations of these sports classify as outdoor events, but don’t quite measure up to the X-Games, however enduring they might be. These activities can include hiking, biking and surfing. Several students take part in extreme sports and outdoor activities, including senior Tyler Renschen who is a mountain biker. Mountain biking requires endurance, core strength and balance, bike handling skills, and a reliance on the riders themselves. As it is a highly independent sport, mountain bikers must be prepared for emergency situations, which is why they often carry a backpack holding numerous supplies. For the past three years, Renschen has lived for the adrenaline rush that comes with each ride. “The most exciting part about mountain biking is that there are almost infinite lines for somebody to take their bike down”, Renschen said. “Some of which could slow you down, or even lead to a bad crash. When you get in a groove and clear your mind of everything other than that line, it becomes a very creative thing”. There are many moving gears that go into mountain biking, including maintaining stability, and avoiding obstacles. Story continues on next page...
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Photo from Google Images
With a large number of technicalities, one must be prepared and focused on technique when mountain biking. This level of skill is one of Renschen’s reasons for partaking in the sport. “My favorite part about mountain biking is the combination of hard work, technicality, and rush of adrenaline” Renschen said. “I think mountain biking has allowed me to become more comfortable taking on situations that I would have been nervous about before.” Searching for places to bike can be a difficult task, as Indiana’s terrain is known for being very flat. Ideally, a mountain biking
trail would have aggressive contours and several shifts in elevation. Working with his environment, Renschen has found a series of places in Indiana that defy the typical land. “There are many places I like to take my bike,” Renschen said. “Especially Brown County, Fort Harrison and Southwestway Park.”
Sports with Highest Total Incidents
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An unexpected extreme sport than can take you all over the world is also something you can find in your hometown. Senior Nikko Rocha has been hiking since she could walk. Hiking has taken her beyond the Indiana borders to places such as Chattanooga, TN, Red River Gorge and Muir Valley KY, Ocala National Forest FL and British Columbia, which is located in the north western section of Canada. However, she also enjoys local trails closer to home. “Hiking has provided a consistent, peaceful outlet [for me],” Rocha said. “With hiking later came backpacking trips that have always been a part of my life.” With a canopy of trees comes a shelter from outside influences of the world, senses are heightened and one is left to the solitude of their thoughts. Rocha’s peace of mind while hiking comes from the shifting sounds as she begins her ascent. “I enjoy the phases of sound,” Rocha said. “Once you get far enough away from a road or human activity it becomes silent, the only man made noises are your feet hitting the ground. But then you start hearing the sounds of birds, the leaves rustling with the wind, maybe water running through a creek.” Outdoor and extreme sports are all around us, whether they are on wheels or bare feet, these competitive activities have been part of numerous cultures for thousands of years. The earth’s natural formations have made it possible for students and professionals alike to engage in a category of sports that are today named extreme. Story by Marissa Hubbard and Lilian Connelly. Photos by Skylar Hettenbach.
What is the most extreme activity you have done?
“I went snowboarding in Breckinridge, Colorado. I did it because my family went on a trip there and I always thought it sounded fun.” Gabby Combs, 11
“Rugby is probably the most extreme sport I have done. It’s fastpaced, lacks protection and requires strength and endurance.” Matthew Holt, 10
Probably go-karting or paintballing,they’re really fun to do with friends and the intensity makes them really fun.” Nathan Caylor, 10
“The most extreme activity I’ve done is trapezing. I went because I was able to find a coupon.” Katherine Washburn, 12
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Secrets of Seuss
Theories of Hidden Political Messages The Lorax
The Lorax is a representation of Dr. Seuss’s viewpoints on environmentalism, targeting the logging industry. The plot is a narration of how the Once-ler, a young innovator cuts down a Truffula tree to create a new invention, eventually leading to the deforestation of the Truffula forest. This lighthearted tale conveys Suess’s underlying cautionary message: if we do not take the responsibility of protecting our environment, our world will become like the one left behind in the tale.
Horton Hears a Who!
In this tale, Horton the elephant discovers a small speck of dust that seems to be talking to him. It is realized that the particle of dust is actually a microscopic town, a home to all of the Whos in Whoville. The story contains a famous line, “A person’s a person no matter how small.” Although readers may think this quote only pertains to the concept of the story, it was actually Dr. Seuss’s way of showing his prolife views when dealing with abortion.
Yertle the Turtle
Yertle the Turtle is the king of the pond, who demands to be higher than any object in the sky in order to survey the area in which him and all the other turtles live. To reach the height he desires, Yertle orders all the other turtles in the pond to stack themselves up below him. When the turtle on the bottom asks for rest, Yertle disregards him and continues to receive what he wants. Yertle and his actions are meant to be a representation of Hitler.
The Butter Battle Book
Written in 1984, The Butter Battle Book is a narrative comparing the two societies of the Yooks and Zooks. Whatever one side of the land does, the other side does the opposite. Since the communities are so different, disagreement emerges and the Yooks and Zooks try and outperform each other in when constructing new and advanced weapons bigger and better than the opposing side. The Butter Battle Book was banned from several libraries due to its references to the Cold War and the nuclear arms race. “I think that children’s books should have political themes because it is teaching them at a younger age but also at the same time it is not making them uncomfortable.” Cassi Welch, 10
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“I think it is the author’s choice to say whatever they want and what to put in their books just not to make [political themes] extra preachy.” Dawson Kester, 9 Information from mentalfloss.com
The Voice Heard
Teachers political bias, impact on education For decades, teachers have been seen as the backbone of education. However, people are now beginning to question the role political bias may play within the education setting. Senior Andie Slomka chose to investigate political bias within the school for her AP Research project. Her project included a student survey where students were asked if teachers ever showed bias and if so, if it impacted their learning. “The majority [of the results] showed that a majority of students believed their education was being affected by teachers’ political bias,” Slomka said. “Many students also said they have seen teachers exhibit ‘bias behaviors’ and many provided anecdotes of such things happening.”
“It made me not pay attention to government, and it made me not want to learn something because I knew my point of view was going to get shut down.”
In addition to the student survey, Slomka also produced a survey for faculty. The survey asked the faculty if they had ever attempted to change a student’s political view and if they showed bias themselves, or if they had seen a colleague show bias. “Many teachers said they had seen colleagues do these things, but only two admitted to attempting to change a student’s political opinion,” Slomka said. “None admitted to treating students any differently because of views whether that be in grading or calling on them [in class].” The survey found students generally saw a greater amount of bias in social studies and English. In contrast, social studies teacher Emily McGill is watchful of making her own opinions public in class. “I don’t want to shut down someone’s want to learn or for my own personal opinion influencing something that will become their opinion,” McGill said. “For me personally, my government teacher in high school had the complete opposite political views as I did and he overtly showed it in class. It made me not pay attention to government, and it made me not want to learn something because I knew my point of view was going to get shut down.” McGill believes her purpose as an educator is not to persuade her students, but rather give them the tools they need to come to their own conclusions. She credits her impartiality as helpful to the process.
“Because I stay impartial, [my students] get a look at both sides,” McGill said. “Using the analytical skills we practice in class, they’re able to make their own determination when they’ve heard both sides of the arguments. They see more points of view and they can determine for themselves what their views of the world are and their beliefs are.” Story by Hayden
Sisemore.
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A Safe Conversation SRO supervisor discusses school safety With the rise of occurrences and media coverage on school shootings, school administrations all over the nation are trying to increase safety measures to protect their students from potential threat and harm. Many have posed the question to the administration about what has been done since the shooting that occurred Feb 14. to increase school safety measures. According to Fishers Police Lt. and SRO supervisor Mike Johnson, ways to make students and teachers feel safe in the halls of HSE is a constant conversation. “Last week I met with every teacher here,” Johnson said. “I set up shop in a conference room, and every teacher during their prep period came to talk to me and we had a candid conversation about safety. That was scheduled prior to the events of Feb 14. This is a conversation we have every day.” To protect students, HSE administration has this conversation on a day to day basis, and not only during times proceeding tragedy. Johnson mentions, however, that there is always something to learn from these events. “One of the things that is likely going to come out of
[school shooting] is that we’re going to sit down and have a serious conversation about how to respond [in the event of a lockdown situation] during a fire alarm,” Johnson said. “Obviously we want to still keep students safe in the event of a fire.” Students also play a role in keeping the school safe. In the event that a student should gain knowledge of a potential threat, it is vital that they report it. The preferred method of reporting an issue is direct, face-to-face communication with a faculty member. However, in the event that reporting it in person is too difficult for a student, text-a-tip is a quick alternative. “The students do a very nice job of keeping each other safe,” Johnson said. “I think the students are the most important key to any school’s safety. I really have trouble when kids have a feeling that they don’t feel safe at school, because this is the one place they should. If there is ever something that doesn’t feel right, letting an adult know is important.” Story by Elie Bucklin.
TEXT-A-TIP 274637 #HSEHS
Gun Laws in the Midwest By State
Prohibits open carry of long guns. Prohibits open carry of handguns. Does not allow carry of concealed handgun.
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Allows open carry of long guns without permit or license. Allows open carry of handgun with permit or license. Allows concealed carry of handgun with permit.
Allows open carry of long guns without permit or license. Allows open carry of handguns without permit or license. Allows concealed carry of handgun with permit.
Point / Counterpoint
Arming teachers: Two students share view on debate In Favor “I don’t think [arming teachers] is necessarily a solution, I think it’s a step in the right direction. I’m not someone who thinks you should just throw a gun at a teacher and say, ‘Here you’re going to carry this around now.’ I think that’s kind of stupid and I know people who do think that. I feel like giving the teachers that own and practice with their firearms already the option to be able to protect themselves and their students at school would be really helpful. I know that a lot of students run into the issue of feeling comfortable at school, but I think it kind of comes to a difference between the fact, like would you feel comfortable if someone was on your side, like a police officer and now possibly teachers, or would you feel comfortable if no one was on your side and someone walked into the school with the intent to hurt you? I do believe there are a few teachers that would be comfortable with being armed, and I totally understand the teachers that don’t. I mean you don’t want to be responsible for the lives of a bunch of students and I understand that; I don’t want to put any teachers in that position. They would definitely have to go through training and that goes into financial issues. [Growing up around guns] really does change your perspective and I do believe someone’s perspective on guns can change. Guns are considered bad if you’ve never been around them. All you see in the news is that guns are bad, but in all reality, if you can get with the right person and a responsible person, you really learn that it’s not necessarily a gun, but it’s a firearm. If used in the right way, it can be more of a hobby and less as a killing tool.” Jaden Parsons, 11
Opposed “So the main problem with gun violence isn’t just that it’s occurring, but it’s the availability of guns in society. When you have an equation that derives a problem from gun availability, then adding more guns into the equation doesn’t really fix anything. Teachers are brought to educate, and I understand that it wouldn’t be mandatory for every teacher to have a gun and that it’s sort of an optional thing and they’d have to undergo training, but at the same time, the question is just why not hire more police officers? Why not get professionals? Why not, for example, employ veterans, which would take unemployed veterans off the streets and give them a better opportunity to rehabilitate into society? Why does it have to be the teachers? If the problem is all about the availability of guns and most school shooters who are getting them from home, unlocked, loaded weapons that are just sort of lying around that they take to school and misuse them. The argument has been that teachers will have to have them locked up and it’s nice to think about, but it’s a little idealistic. In reality, there are many thousands of teachers who would be doing this and the potential that one, at least one won’t be doing that is fairly high and you only need one school shooter to show that there’s a problem in the system. Let’s say a teacher has the gun out for something and has to go help someone for 30 seconds. That’s a gun that’s left unattended for 30 seconds while a teacher’s back is turned. Think about the same thing at home, if someone has a gun and its left unloaded and it’s left in some secure location, yet it’s not unusual for there to be many stories in the news of children who come across a gun ending up hurting themselves or accidentally killing themselves or a friend or sibling because it was just left lying around.” James Henderson, 12
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