Gene Denton Essay 17

Growing up in the Wyandotte community, one of the biggest problems I have seen has been violence, specifically gun violence. Every time the news gets put on or when I scroll on social media there is a story about someone fighting, crime, or a shooting. A lot of the time it happens to younger people. This is scary to me because I am just 17 years old. These are also people my age. People of any age should never feel unsafe where they live or in their own school.

Gun violence specifically doesn’t just affect one person. It affects families, friends, and communities. When someone goes through with gun violence, their family and friends also live with that pain. Kids will grow up without their parents. Parents bury their own children. This not only causes pain, but it causes fear in community. Kids start playing outside less. Violence breaks a lot of things in life.

I believe our community needs less gun use and less violence. I also believe that we need stricter gun policies. It shouldn’t be so easy for just anyone to get dangerous weapons. While guns are not the only cause for the violence, easy access makes situations worse. Along with better support for teens that witness that stuff. We need better laws. It’s noticeable that more teens that cause violence feel unheard, unsafe, or no other options. We need more programs for teens and better spaces.

After high school, I plan to study criminal justice and criminology in college. I want to have a better understanding to why crimes happen or what us people can do to prevent them more. Criminal justice will teach me about the law and the court system. Criminology will teach me about the causes of crime, the lack of education, community issues, and trauma. I don’t want to just know why crime happens but also how to stop it and it be more effective.

My future education will give me a voice. As a 17-year-old, I want to prove that I can be strong and educated. I want to prove I can be a leader in my community. When I earn my degree, I want to sit at a table where everyday decisions are made. I want to speak for families that are losing their loved ones to violence. I want to listen to young people who feel like they are not heard.

Lastly, I want to be a good example. In communities where violence is normalized, it seems like they aren’t good positive role models. I want to lead in schools and talk to students and let them be inspired to want to do stuff good in the community. I want people to look at me and know they can go to college and make differences in this world too. Education can open doors and hold them open for other people right behind them. I want other people to. Know that they are a lot more than their surroundings and can do other great things that they see other people doing.

Receiving this scholarship would help me get closer to my goal and help me continue my education. I am very passionate about helping other and creating a change in the community along with reducing violence. I might be only one person, but change must start somewhere and I know in college I can start somewhere with someone that is thinking just like me. With good education, determination, and hard work. I believe that me and other people can help the community feel safer and supported. Everyone starts somewhere and my commitment will push me to keep going until I see a change.