We went to WCHS graduation long enough to see the first student to receive the Taco Casa scholarship for Aaron Brown. We went by to see the bench that a student made as a project last year. He donated it in remembrance of the four students that lost their lives in the first half of 2012-2013 school year. 

This student spent a lot of time and hard work on this bench. Material was donated from local businesses to help with the cost. The school had a dedication in honor of the students and in a matter of speaking help the families deal with some of our grief. The Vicksburg Post did an article on the student and the bench.

When we walked up to the bench I saw that a person or persons had written on the bench in several places, it broke my heart and made me angry all at the same time. When I was a child, I knew what would have happened to me if I vandalized another’s property. My parents taught me to be respectful of other people and their property. I can also remember when it was considered indecent to let your underwear show in public.

We have given our children too much power to do whatever they want. We have taken the ability away from the teachers and principals to discipline students. Even if we found out who wrote on the bench, there’s not a lot that the school could do to make a difference in the person’s life. I can remember my whole class getting a lick and that was over forty years ago.

The four students this bench represents were more than likely, classmates or schoolmates of the person or persons that wrote on the bench. I don’t know why, but it never crossed my mind that someone would write on the bench, after all it isn’t the bathroom wall, not that it’s okay to write on  the bathroom wall.

The families of the four students waited months for this project to come full circle. It’s sad how flippant we have become in our lives, that we get our jollies by hurting other people by our actions.

SHAME, SHAME on whoever vandalized the bench!!!

Karen Brown

Vicksburg