An American Effigy

This is a story of five students, each with tales as normal as you and me and every other teenager today. High School is something we must all face, but in today's age things so horrifying as suicide, school shootings, self mutilation, depression, drugs, abuse, rape... etc is such a daily thing, it's common. We as teenagers are used to death we are used to violence. This is the story of Declan a boy who lost the love of a father, and is trying with everything to gain the love from another. This is a story of Justin with a secret that would ruin his football life if told. This is a story of Sarah calm, cool, and collected, she has it all, or does she? This is a story of Jessica a wild and rowdy girl who's hiding the demons. This is a story of Zeek searching for the meaning of life. This is a story of you. This is life.

An American Effigy isn't about high school, it's about every teenager. It's about you and it's about me. Every person has a group and that's where they fit in, who they hang out with. Whether it's the goths, the preps, the jocks, and so on, rarely is someone's life as perfect as it seems. Every girl wants to be the pretty one or the one everyone loves, they think oh Lauren's life is perfect, everyone loves Lauren , Lauren's beautiful, nothing bad ever happens to Lauren . How much do you know about that person's actual life? Maybe you didn't know that Lauren was depressed, always having to live up to everyone's expectations. That she was constantly struggling with the decision between what was cool to do and what she wanted to do. In life we all go through high school differently, but no matter how much you think someone's life is perfect, it's not. They have as much problems as you and me, and they are moving along just as well as they can. Now, we all have our problems, but what happens when someone just can't handle it? They may do something drastic or something they may -or may not- regret. Suicide and school shootings are such a common thing in American schools: when someone has to take a gun to their head or a teacher or a jock at school to be heard, we know there is something wrong. Next time you see someone with their head in their hands, or a tear in their eye, ask them what's wrong, and do not talk, listen. You might be surprised.

When one student can't deal with it anymore and takes his own life, will anyone notice? Or will it take more than one life to wake this high school up?

Fairview High School

A Letter from the principal

First, I would like to welcome back returning students, and give a warm welcome to new students at Fairview High School. I hope every had a wonderful summer experience, and is ready to start off new and refreshed. It's with my great pleasure to say that I have been a part of this High School for over 16 years, and I say with true honesty in my word, this is a great place to learn. What separates Fairview from other high schools, is our dedication to teach and learn and understand, not only to the students, but with the students. There should be no reason at all, a student should feel unsafe or unwanted in our warm and friendly environment. I hope that everyone is excited and happy to return.

Bruce D. Duane

Little did Bruce know, no high school is perfect.