Once there was a girl named Asteve'e "Cookie" Thomas. She lived in the slavic village of Cleveland, Ohio. She was in the 7th grade. It was September 1st, 2007. She turned 12 three day earlier. She was walking home from the store. She was getting some candy. While walking she got caught in a crossfire of bullets between two men running down Slavic Village street. She was fatally shot Saturday evening. She was pronounced dead at the scene. She was shot in her neck. She went to Cleveland School of the Arts. It was her first year there and had only been in school for about a week.

Once there was a girl named Patricia Johnson. She was 14. She also went to Cleveland School of the Arts. She was in 9th grade. She had a secret. No one new but her family and the teachers at the school. She was treated just like every other kid. She did her homework, took all her tests, and completed her work. On Monday October 8th she did not come to school. The 9th grade class at CSA was called down into the theater. Our principal told us that Patricia was not at school today because she past away over the weekend. She had cancer. She knew she was going to die within a few weeks but still had a positive attitude and still came to school. She did not tell any of her friends or classmates about her condition because he wanted to be normal.

On Wednesday October 10th, 2007 4 people were shot and by a 14 year old shooter who is now dead. The people were badly injured. But the other kids seem to be in good condition. This shooting happened at Success Tech High School in Cleveland, Ohio.

Each and everyone of these stories are true! You see how close to home these stories are. How people are being killed at even younger ages. Life is short. You do not know when your time has come. I am sure these people were not expecting this. Take advantage of the time you have with your family and friends. Give someone a hug or encourage them because you do not know if that will be the last time you will see them. It has been a very, very stressful time for me and my school. Two deaths in about a months time. Who will be next?

Time is Short (Poem)
Have you ever watched kids on a merry-go-round
Or listened to the rain slapping on the ground?
Ever followed a butterfly's erratic flight
Or gazed at the sun into the fading night?
You better slow down
Don't dance so fast
Time is short
The music won't last

Do you run through each day on the fly
When you ask "How are you?" do you hear the reply?
When the day is done, do you lie in your bed
With the next hundred chores running through your head?
You'd better slow down
Don't dance so fast
Time is short
The music won't last

Ever told your child, we'll do it tomorrow
And in your haste, not see his sorrow?
Ever lost touch, and let a good friendship die
'Cause you never had time to call and say "Hi"?
You'd better slow down
Don't dance so fast
Time is short
The music won't last

When you run so fast to get somewhere
You miss half the fun of getting there.
When you worry and hurry through your day,
It is like an unopened gift....
Thrown away...
Life is not a race.
Do take it slower
Hear the music
Before the song is over.

Author Unknown