I am 16. I'm just like any other teenager. I get up every morning go to school. I come home every night. Nothing special, nothing extravagant. I'm no better than anyone else. I'm no less than anyone else. I have the same hopes, the same fears, the same questions, and the same daydreams.There are people like me in every state, in every city, in every school, and in every classroom.

This morning 15 students, just like me, got up, got dressed, and went to school. Some, like me, were running late, some early, some worried about that test they had first period, some were daydreaming about the cute girl that had the locker right next to theirs, some were thinking bout the friend they had gotten in a fight with the night before, some were giggling with each other about the substitute with the big bright red wig, but not one of these students, just like me, was worried about walking into that school, the school they walk into every other Monday through Friday for nine months out of the year, and being shot at.

But there is a difference between these 15 students and me, I came home after school, I will be able to go on that date Friday, and pass that test, I will be able to graduate, and I am still alive. I asked God, "Why? Why do bad things happen?", and as much as I wanted a straight forward answer from Him, I didn't get one. I know I won't, but I did get something else. I got a feeling deep down in my heart that says, "This shouldn't happen, and I can do something about it." I have the ability to change the world. God said that with faith, I can move mountains, and I have some mountains to move.

I have no idea how to solve this problem. I have no idea what has gone wrong in the heads of so many of my peers, and I don't know how to stop it, but I am sure going to try. I am ashamed of my generation, of my classmates, of my friends, and of myself. These shootings were done by kids my own age. Kids that you pass on the street, kids with friends, and kids with families. The kids that died are the same. These kids that were killed are innocent victims. They did not deserve to die and nothing can ever come close to making what happened justifiable. Those that ignore this, as I have, for the past however many years, are those that I am ashamed of. What has to happen? Does it have to happen to your family, to your kids, to your friends, to your life to open your eyes? Are you going to wait still?

Because I refuse. I refuse to watch this happen anymore. I refuse to be a victim. I don't know how I am suppose to change the world, but I will. I am not going to stand by any longer and watch my generation flush society down the toilet. The streets aren't safe, parks aren't safe, homes aren't safe, and now schools aren't safe. There is something wrong with this picture and I feel sorry for those that don't see it. Most of all I pity those that do see it but choose to ignore it.

I am making a vow to myself to stand up against it, to make a difference, and I pray I am not alone. My name is Jayson Martin from Littleton, Colorado, I would like for anyone who reads this to please write their name down.I would like to send prayers out to my friends who were in Columbine H.S. I would like everyone to please say a prayer for the safety of everyone who was involved in this terrible tragedy. It is something that has hurt me today as well as my friends. I'm grateful for my safety and their safety. Please forward this to as many people as you can,let us all come together and pray that this tragedy ends soon.