Julie Bloom (HPHS Class of 2015)

On July 4th, 2022 the cruelest most unimaginable event took place, in the heart of my home town. In the heart of one of the most tight-knit, strongest communities, and not to mention “safest” communities. But the world cannot simply be deemed safe when individuals are still allowed to purchase assault weapons and rifles, even after showing concerning signs of suicide and threatening to harm human life. 

I see a lot of my peers from different communities continuing to live their life, so desensitized to these type of tragedies because they now occur all too often. Mine, my best friends, their parents, their parents friends, my old camp staff, my campers, the entire community is living in a nightmare. Children are orphaned. Children are terrified of going to camp, of going outside, of going to school. Do you understand this? Do you see what is happening? Read that again. This happening in highland park, IL, a community often judged by others due to our privilege. And privilege we have, but we now have absolute and utter heartbreak, a heartbreak that will never be repaired. Our community will never be the same, but our bond will only grow stronger. 

Enough is enough. If you have not checked in with your HP peers, this is your time to now. If you have not donated or posted, this is your time to now. If you are not registered to vote and vote BLUE, this is your time to now. This cannot continue. We cannot live in this world with exasperated fear. Enough is enough. Do it for my students, the innocent, loving, carefree and curious children who are growing up in what can be deemed as hell. Now. 

Rest in eternal peace Jacquelyn Sundheim, Katherine Goldstein, Irina and Kevin McCarthy, Stephen Straus, Nicolas Toledo-Zaragoza, and Eduardo Uvaldo. Sending prayers to the 39 injured in the hospital, but to all those who were at the event and will endure a lifelong trauma. 

Use this doc below to get involved. The time is now. 

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1BaSX9cfR_JE1xNsC_Hw01mDe_vnbVwqEj9v3mN3tbos/mobilebasic

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