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Table of Contents 
 
Just Another 3 
Reflection 4 

Enough Is Enough 3 
Reflection 4 

We Say #Never Again Book Review 5 

Reflection 6 

M4OL Narrative 7 
Reflection 10 

Speech 11 
Reflection 13 

Enough is Enough Overall Reflection 14 

 
   
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Just Another 

“Oh, just another school shooting,”​ they said. “Just more thoughts and prayers,” 

they thought. Little did they know this time it would be different.  

Teens fighting while they cried. Mourning of their friends that died.  

But that didn't stop them, it empowered them. 

They raised their voices, made it clear for all to hear “Enough is Enough” 

 
 
Enough Is Enough 

Enough is Enough 

Calling BS, Please no more 

Something has to change 

People are dying at work 

Just living their lives each day 

Piercing through the air 

A shot rings, fear strikes the air 

People, tears falling 

Lives are lost in an instant 

But they've made it clear to all 

 
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Reflection 

This piece seemed to just come together. I began writing lines and soon realized that it all 

worked nicely as a poem. My poem uses different styles to tie it all together, including 

dialogue, rhyme, and narration. The narration makes the poem relatable to the audience 

and gives background to the topic. Additionally, the diction and word choice are very 

specific, to show the power in a short number of words. The poem is based on the Never 

Again MSD movement, and March for Our Lives along with numerous books on the subject, 

and the theme of empowerment is previliant. By reading my poem, it shows power and 

motivation; and intrigues the reader to learn more. I chose to write this poem, as it fits 

nicely with the overall theme of my other pieces, gun control, and gun violence awareness.  

The second poem began as a haiku. After realizing that I wanted it longer, I remembered 

learning about Tanka, which follows a 5-7-5-7-7 format. I used two consecutive Tanka’s to 

convey my second message, in which the last line of the second stanza leads to the title. 

Following the Tanka format, the lines do not have to rhyme, however the words lives and 

people appear in both stanzas, and stick out due to their connotation in the poem. I was 

inspired for the second poem by the previous poem and emotion related to shootings. The 

poem conveys and evokes emotion, using words that the audience relates to and makes it 

clear that the topic is not lighthearted. We call BS and Enough is Enough are two of the 

signature sayings from March for Our Lives, so they fit nicely into the poem. This poem 

definitely evokes strong emotion, and causes the reader to think further about gun control.  
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We Say #Never Again Book Review 

After a major event, there is a plethora of news coverage. Oftentimes, 

however, a majority if not all of the news coverage comes from mainstream 

media sources like CNN, The New York Times, and USA Today. The book, We Say 

#Never Again provides a unique insight into the experiences and perspectives of 

journalism and broadcasting students at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School 

in the aftermath of the Parkland, Florida shooting. Using a combination of 

personal anecdotes, and articles from the Eagle Eye, the student newspaper, the 

reader gains a perspective not usually perceived. The stories range from the 

immediate aftermath of the shooting to students’ experiences as members of the 

press at March for Our Lives in Washington, DC. Students also reflect through the 

book how their experiences being approached by the media have changed their 

approach to reporting, and the skills they learned, including how to empower 

others through social media, how to manage personal bias while reporting, and 

working with mass media. We Say #Never Again shows the true emotions felt by 

students, how their once normal school changed in an instant, and how they took 

the initiative. We Say #Never Again captivates the audience, making it a great 

read. 

   
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Reflection 

We Say #Never Again is a captivating book. While reading it, I realized how much I enjoyed 

the book, and that I wanted to inform others of the fantastic book. I began writing the book 

review, formatting it as a article for my school's student newspaper. This piece doesn’t 

have as strong theme as the other pieces since the book review is based off of a book with 

its own themes. The themes present in the book review are gun violence awareness, gun 

control and reflection. The book review provides important events and lessons from the 

book, while still encouraging the reader to discover more by reading the book themselves. I 

provide enough necessary background information that a reader could go in knowing 

nothing about the topic except for my book review and still be able to follow the book. 

Since the piece is a more professional piece, and based off another literary piece, there are 

not many literary devices present, nor would I expect there would be. The word choice uses 

a more complex vocabulary, possibly higher than what would traditionally be found in a 

newspaper, but around proper level for the expected reader of the book I am reviewing. Due 

to the complex vocabulary, the piece would most likely be found in a higher level 

publication intended for a professional audience.  

   
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M4OL Narrative 

I walked past the White House chanting and singing. It felt so powerful, and I 

was so proud (and also excited) to be part of the group. As we grew closer to the 

Capitol Building the crowds grew thicker, but that didn't stop us from singing. 

Apparently, a large group of Jewish teens all singing together is a rare sight since a 

bunch of random strangers began recording us. Eventually, we broke into smaller 

groups to get closer to the stage (though we were still pretty far back) and only then 

did I realize how big the march was. There were signs reaching as far as my eye could 

see.  

It felt amazing just to be standing there. I didn’t know what to expect. But, 

what I did know is that I wanted my voice to be heard, and attending the march I 

would be with others who felt the same as I did. I first became aware of the 

unfortunately common reality called mass shootings in December of 2012. My 

parents realized after trying to hide the newspaper from me that they couldn't shield 

me from everything in life. I was aware of shootings such as Pulse and Las Vegas, and 

each mass shooting I read about broke my heart, but there wasn't much I could do. 

However, on my way home from school on February 14th, 2018, NPR was discussing 

the most recent school shooting. When I questioned what the news was discussing, I 

realized how common mass shootings had become. I was told, “oh, just another 

school shooting.” No shooting is just another, but MSD1 hit the closest to home for 

me. High school students just like me suddenly had their lives turned upside down.  

1
Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida
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In the following days, each of my classes discussed what to do in the event of a 

shooting. I learned the best place to smash a window and how far away from the 

school we should get. These are conversations that have no reason to occur in 

schools, I along with more than 5

​ 0​ million students across the US shouldn’t be afraid 

to attend school. Clearly, my view that no shooting is just another is shared by 

others. MSD students took charge and started a movement. Almost immediately they 

were all over the media, speaking out and making it clear that thoughts and prayers 

aren’t enough. On February 18th news broke that these determined students were 

planning something more. Much more. 

News of the march was showing up in my newsfeed and all over Instagram. I 

knew my parents would never agree to go to DC if it involved missing school, let 

alone the week after spring break for a march with thousands of other people. My 

best hope was that there would be a march in Columbus, and I would be able to 

participate without traveling far. However, on March 1st, I received an email 

announcing that the national body of my youth group would be participating in DC.  

It took a bit of convincing, a bit more challenges with logistics, United Airlines 

phone system not working, and countless promises that I wouldn't fall behind on my 

work. But, 4 days later I registered, booked my flights and tried to mentally prepare 

for one of the most meaningful 36 hours of my life.   

As the march grew closer, my anticipation grew bigger. I was nervous and 

excited, but most of all I was eager. Eager to be part of something big, gaining 

attention across the world; eager to make my voice heard, eager to show that I wasn’t 
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going to sit around letting those in power think that kids are powerless and that 

thoughts and prayers are all we need.  

Finally, Friday, March 23rd came. I couldn’t stop talking about was the march, 

and I could barely focus in my morning classes at school. I headed off to the airport 

around noon and knew soon I would be roughly 400 miles away from my home, 

showing the world that I cared. I was nervous, not nervous about flying alone, but 

nervous about meeting the other teens from my youth group, and nervous about 

finding the correct Starbucks at BWI.  

The following hours were a blur, but filled with meaningful discussion, 

emotions, and hope. Each and every speaker was meaningful and inspiring. I 

chanted. I cheered. I cried. But most of all, I made sure my voice was heard. After the 

march, we passed through a plaza near the White House. My sign joined the 

countless other signs weaved in between fence posts, leaving my mark.  

I was part of something big, I represented not only myself, but also teens 

around the country who are fighting for gun control. After all, enough is enough.    
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Reflection 

 
I chose to write the narrative based on my experience at March for Our Lives in March of 

2018, and the associated feelings and events. I never directly name the march, but give 

enough context clues that the reader can infer or research what I’m talking about. 

Additionally, I never mention actual school shootings (Sandy Hook and Marjory Stoneman 

Douglas) or shooters, but provide dates that the shootings occurred, giving the audience 

enough context clues to infer. The diction and word choice are very specific for the piece, 

playing a strong role in the narration and message provided in the narrative. Hope and 

power are themes present throughout the piece, but life experiences do not always have 

traditional literary themes. Additionally, similar to the other pieces in the collection, gun 

control, and gun violence awareness are both prevalent in the piece. The narrative is 

written in a style that allows the reader to feel part of the story and encourages imagery. 

Additionally, the narrative focuses more on leading up to the march, and less on the march 

itself.    
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Speech 

Nobody can ever determine what their life will hold. Most likely, 10 years ago 

you didn’t know you would be sitting here listening to me, and right now you don’t 

know where you will be in 10 years or the path you will travel. Life can change in an 

instant. Countless lives have changed in an instant because of one person's decision 

to end lives in a place that youth ages 5-18 spend 8 hours a day in. That 

place-schools. The lives lost- in school shootings.  

In April of 1999, 13 lives were lost in the Columbine school shooting, and since 

then there have been more deadly school shootings due to little to no change in gun 

laws. On the contrary, since the 1920’s there has never been a sinking as deadly as 

the Titanic due to tougher maritime regulations. Something has to change. 

In the aftermath of the Parkland, Florida shooting at Marjory Stoneman 

Douglas High, the Pew Research Center conducted a survey and found that 57% of 

teens are worried about the possibility of a shooting happening at their school. Fear 

has no place in schools. Schools should be a place of learning writing skills, and 

chemistry; not learning how to break glass and where to run to in the event of a 

school shooting. And, some people believe that arming teachers is the solution. But, 

our schools teachers should be armed with pencils and books; not weapons. 

But what else does not belong? Assault-style rifles such as the AR-15 and its 

spinoffs in the hands of civilians. These weapons were designed for military use, and 

I cannot think of a possible use for them in the United States I live in. But, AR-15s and 
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similar weapons have been used in countless mass shootings across the world, and 

are not effectively regulated.  

Keeping all of this in mind, what can we do? Elected officials are elected by YOU 

the people. Be an informed citizen, know who you are electing and be informed on 

their opinion of gun control. And if you are sitting in the audience and are eligible to 

vote and NOT registered to vote, register NOW. You have no authority to complain if 

you don’t exercise your power. Regardless of if you can vote or not, contact your 

representatives and senators and share your opinion.  

Don’t be afraid to exert your voice. Don’t be afraid to be loud and speak up. 

Something has to change and ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.   

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Reflection 

I choose to write a speech realizing how persuasion can affect people's opinions on topics. 

The uses a variety of research and action steps, balancing nicely statistics and opinion. It 

also uses very specific diction and emphasis to get the point across. Additionally, the 

speech motivates the listener to take action and appeals to listeners emotions. To further 

the emphasis, the speech utilizes a series of questions to the listeners, later providing the 

answer. The questions lay out action steps, which make the listener feel empowered and 

want to address the issues set forth in the speech. The themes of the entire collection, gun 

violence awareness and gun control are extremely prevalent, as is the theme of power and 

responsibility. Having written the speech, I feel I could actually speak to a group using this 

speech, and my point would be conveyed clearly and effectively.  

   
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Enough is Enough Overall Reflection 

Each and every piece in the collection is captivating and compelling. Most of 

the pieces evoke strong emotion, and encourage the reader to discover more into the 

topic. Writing the pieces, I tried to connect to the reader, while still providing a 

unique perspective on the topic. The pieces are all based on my personal experience 

and a topic I am passionate about. Gun violence is something that almost the entire 

world is aware of, and my writing makes it clear that it affects many. Through my 

writing, I hope that the reader gains a deeper understanding of the effects of gun 

violence, its prevalence in society and my personal view on the topic.  

While writing the pieces, I had to constantly stop to reflect on my work and 

figure out where I wanted to go. It was definitely a challenge to figure out the theme 

for each piece, but it did help that all of my pieces are related. Each piece is definitely 

unique and conveys its own message, but in the end they all come together to form a 

collection with a common theme throughout.  

The free-verse poem was the easiest since it came into my mind and came 

together easily. I wouldn't say any of my other pieces were hard persay, but each 

presented its own unique challenges. The begging of the narrative also came together 

nicely, but I did not know how to end it. The book review was also relatively 

straightforward, and I realized that it is okay that it uses complex vocabulary, since it 

does not need to be intended for a normal newspaper. I had the most fun writing the 

speech, since I was able to use all of my opinion and show what power means to me. 

In the end, the collection of creative writing pieces are powerful, meaningful, 

and personal; and I am proud of how my work turned out, and would not hesitate to 

do this project again.