Students Against Violence Everywhere

by Kate Catlin

Everyone gets involved in extra-curricular activities in high school. They tell you it’s a must if you want to go to college. Well I was “that girl” who took it to heart and got involved in everything I could. I played basketball, I played soccer, I even joined the golf team one year. I also participated in Students Against Drunk Driving, the Latin Club, National Honor Society, my list went on and on. Most of those organizations are mere memories, photos and plaques hanging in my bedroom at my parent’s house. One however has touched my life more than the rest and I continue to volunteer my time and energy to supporting its cause. The National Association of Students Against Violence Everywhere (SAVE) is an organization that has provided me with so many once-in-a-lifetime opportunities. It was through them I was nominated and received the honor of being an Olympic Torchbearer in the 2002 Olympic Torch Relay to Salt Lake. If it had not been for my involvement in this special organization, I would not have experienced what I consider to be the best memory of my life thus far.

SAVE started at West Charlotte High School (N.C.) in 1989 following the tragic death of a student who was trying to break up a fight at an off-campus party. Students met first to console each other, then as an organization to promote violence prevention and to work together to prevent future incidents from occurring. The National Association of SAVE is a student-run, student-initiated public non profit violence prevention organization with over 1,600 chapters in 45 states and close to 200,000 members in elementary, middle, high schools, colleges and communities nationwide. SAVE provides education about the effects and consequences of violence and helps provide safe activities for students, parents and communities.

In light of the recent events at Virginia Tech, I am once again reminded of how important it is to turn to an organization like the National Association of Students Against Violence Everywhere. Unfortunately, we cannot reverse the horrible actions of last week, but we can work to increase awareness about violence prevention so that we can recognize the signs and prevent future attacks.

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