Stagg HS honored by Sandy Hook Promise

Newtown, CT – Sandy Hook Promise (SHP), the nation’s leading gun violence prevention organization, is proud to announce the winners of its 3rd annual Say Something Call-to-Action Week. Say Something is a proven program that teaches youth and adults the signs of at-risk behaviors and how to properly intervene before that person harms themselves or others.

Stagg High School and several of its students were recognized this past weekend for their Say Something efforts.

• Stagg High School: 2017 Sandy Hook Promise Say Something Student Spirit, Creativity, and Sustainability Award
• Nourhan Abdelbaky: Sandy Hook Promise Youth Voices Written Category, High School Level: 1st Place
• Nicole Saenz: Sandy Hook Promise Youth Voices Visual Category, High School Level: 1st Place
• Electra Buckley: Sandy Hook Promise Youth Voices Written Category, High School Level: 3rd Place
• Cheyenne Griffin: Sandy Hook Promise Youth Voices Spoken Category, High School Level: 3rd Place

The Call-to-Action Week was held in the Fall and hundreds of middle and high schools across the country participated. At the end of the week, SHP asks the participating schools to share what they did to implement and sustain the Say Something program in their schools and/or community and provides awards to the schools/youth groups that demonstrate how they incorporated the core values of the Say Something program seamlessly into their school culture and/or overall community.

Student Spirit, Creativity, and Sustainability Winner:
Amos Alonzo Stagg High School (Palos Hills, IL)

Amos Alonzo Stagg not only trained their students but also trained students in neighboring school districts. Students formed a SAVE Promise Club, marched in the homecoming parade, decorated the campus and bathroom mirrors with uplifting messages, created a social media campaign, and produced a slideshow and video. Students also created a sustainability plan to make Say Something a part of the school culture and have plans to do at least six planned activities.

Stagg High School student Nourhan Abdelbaky's essay was featured during a video performance during the conference and earned first place. She recorded this video for the conference.

According to Sandy Hook Promise, in 4 out of 5 school shootings, the attacker told someone of his/her plans prior to the attack and 70% of people who complete suicide told someone of their intention or gave some type of warning. SHP’s Know the Signs programs, including Say Something, educate young people and adults about the warning signs and to how to intervene before it’s too late.

In the past three (3) years, SHP has trained over 3.5 million youth and adults in at least one of its four proven Know the Signs programs, including Say Something. SHP has also released two powerful PSA’s. In December of 2017 SHP released “Tomorrow’s News” a PSA that shows a newscast covering a school shooting the day before it happens to highlight the signs that are often overlooked or not acted upon. In March of 2018, SHP released “The Other Side” a PSA that shows a teen prepping for a school shooting who highlights all the signs that were missed.

This PSA was launched in conjunction with the launch of SHP’s Say Something Anonymous Reporting System (SS-ARS). The anonymous reporting system allows students to submit secure and anonymous safety concerns to help identify and intervene upon at-risk individuals before they hurt themselves or others. Concerned students can submit a tip using the SS-ARS app, website, or call the 24/7 crisis center.

About Sandy Hook Promise: Sandy Hook Promise (SHP) is a national, nonprofit organization based in Newtown, Connecticut. We are led by several family members whose loved ones were killed in the tragic mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School on December 14, 2012 that claimed the lives of 20 first-graders and 6 educators. SHP is focused on preventing gun violence (and other forms of violence and victimization) BEFORE it happens by educating and mobilizing youth and adults on mental health and wellness programs that identify, intervene and help at-risk individuals. SHP is a moderate, above-the-politics organization that supports sensible non-policy and policy solutions that protect children and prevent gun violence. Our intent is to honor all victims of gun violence by turning our tragedy into a moment of transformation.

PHOTOS CAPTIONS:

Artwork created by Nicole Saenz won the Sandy Hook Promise Youth Voices Visual Category, High School Level First Place prize.

Stagg High School staff were recognized by the Sandy Hook Promise Foundation with the Student Spirit, Creativity, and Sustainability award. Founders of Sandy Hook Promise and parents of children killed at Sandy Hook Mark Barden and Nicole Hockley (back left) and Students Against Violence Everywhere Youth Advisory Board Alumus Devin Phillipps (back right) recognize Stagg High School staff Kristyn Koss, Ian MacLeod, (front row) Mary Pat Carr, Corky Lyons, and Erin Wendt.