Seventeen

(Note: This is a very touchy subject, and all respect goes to family and friends of the victims, I sincerely hope and pray that something will be done about these lives being lost. I really want to help by spreading awareness of the victims and trying to tell a little bit of their stories as best as I could find out about them. I know it's not a super big window as to who these people were, and only those who were close with them could tell us that. But all the victims sounded like wonderful people, and not a single one of them deserved to go in such an unfair way. Each individual had so much ahead of them, and they were all so different and unique. And again, all families and friends of the victims have my sympathy and respect.)

Seventeen

The lives that were taken

The number of lives lost

was seventeen

All lives with equal potential

All lives full of dreams

All lives that could have affected you

Seventeen lives

Alyssa Alhadeff

Only 14 years of age

A soccer player

One day could have played in the NSL

Scott Beigel, a teacher

Age 35, so many years lost

Teaching geography for money

But teaching how to be human for free

Martin Duque Anguiano

Also only 14 years

A tragic loss from your family

Martin, your big brother misses you

Nicholas Dworet

17, one last year of school

Getting ready for university

Invited to join the swim team

Aaron Feis

Another young teacher in his 30's

37, assistant football coach

Put the kids before himself

Jaime Guttenberg

So many kids as young as 14

So much life ahead

Families being devastated by loss

Chris Hixon

49, almost the “halfway point” of life

Athletic director and wrestling coach

However, his heart belongs to the kids

Luke Hoyer

Just 15 years old

Family mourning together

Family helping each other overcome

Cara Loughran

14 is a very reoccurring number

She was a dancer

One of the most beautiful arts

Gina Montalto

14 years old

A winter guard for the marching band

Also an artist, always with a sketchbook

Alaina Petty

14 years old

Always volunteering to help

A servant to those in need

Meadow Pollack

18 years old

If only a year older she would be safe

Her best friend wishes she was safe

Joaquin Oliver

17 years old, not from from adulthood

A fan of sports and hip hop

Loving towards his girlfriend

Helena Ramsay

Also 17 years old

Said to be brilliant

With a soft, warm atmosphere

Alex Schachter

One last 14 year old

Playing trombone

A great musician in the making

Carmen Schentrup

16 years of age

A National Merit Scholar Semifinalist

Definitely full of potential to be great

Peter Wang

15 years old, too young

A future culinary artist

Could have made one of your next meals

Can't you see?

Open your eyes

Seventeen

Seventeen lives were lost

Be nicer you say?

Don't take away the guns?

Sit the kids back down?

Let the adults take care of it?

Show me the adults

Show me that guns are harmless

Show me proper security

Show me that your leader cares

Let the students stand for themselves

Let the students grieve over their lost friends

Let the students make a statement

Let the students be safe

One of them may had been your future doctor

Your next dentist

Your next housekeeper to clean up after your lazy rear-end

Your next President for goodness sake

You don't care unless it's about you

You don't care until it's your child

You don't care until it's your family

You don't care

Seventeen

The number of lives lost

Seventeen

Lives of those you don't care