Evan Zisook (HPHS Class of 2015)

I have not been able to find words to describe the mass shooting on July 4th in my hometown of Highland Park, Illinois. So here it goes. 

The 4th of July parade is something that brought me so much happiness throughout my time living in Highland Park. As my dad works for the FBHP, I remember gathering as a child with my family and friends every single year to ride on their float. I have the happiest of memories of throwing candy to people in the crowd and seeing the smiles on the entire community's faces. I then went on to work for the Park District during my summers as I got older, where I worked the carnival at Sunset Park that is held after the parade. I vividly remember all the smiles, laughs, and joy from all of the families and their children enjoying the rides, games, cookout, and, of course, the ice cream trucks. 

My dad was at the parade this year, as usual. Thankfully, my family and friends are safe and OK. But, to my entire community that isn’t as lucky, I am so sorry. I don’t know how to process the fact that children and families had to run for their lives during one of the largest and happiest community gatherings of the year. I don’t know how children will ever be able to go back to Port Clinton and enjoy the happiness it brought me during my life. I don’t know how children will grow up and feel that same safety I was afforded growing up when walking to school or playing outside in the neighborhood. My thoughts and prayers go out to all that have been affected by this sickening tragedy. I wish I could’ve done something to help the community that I love so much. 

I am distraught and heartbroken. I keep asking myself, “How could something like this happen in the safest place I know?” But, this is America. This is now a normal occurrence throughout the nation and that normality needs to be put to an end. People around the nation will move on to other headlines soon (as I have done in the past, and will never do again), but my community will NEVER be the same. It’s time for America to step up and make the changes necessary from preventing anyone from feeling the way that I currently do. Enough is truly enough.

Once a Highland Park Giant, always an Highland Park Giant. Forever #hpstrong

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