For a significant amount of time, we have watched our fellow Americans vanish from the streets, homes, churches; at concerts, clubs, theaters; and unfortunately, in schools. We might not literally watch these catastrophes play out in person, but we are overwhelmed by these tragedies daily through the media. There are too many families feeling a gap in their hearts because of a single movement of the finger, causing families to cry and sob at the burial of their child less than a week after planting a kiss on their forehead. And there are too many siblings still feel the longing ache of an absent companion, forever removed from their lives because of a long-ago act of cruelty, while regretting the petty fights. There are too many people that have become a part of this family of gun violence victims, a family they did not choose to be a part of. There is too much pain in America, and not enough change until now. We can rise up together and declare, with one ringing voice, that the age of procrastination and the ever-growing death toll is over. We can change America forever and all before we are all 20 years old. It’s no secret that we are passionate about issues. From the civil rights movement to the “no nukes” movement and outrage over child labor in the ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s, us students have the ability to change history. We don’t have to participate in grand actions to create change. Small actions, when multiplied by millions, can transform the world. Sure there will be adults hating on us saying kids can’t do this and kids can’t do that, but the future of this movement is relying on us, the ones who will shape our country and world. The government may be more powerful, but together we are an even stronger force to be reckoned with. Adults always think of kids as lazy, self centered people, but right now is the time to show them. They tried to bury us but they did not know that we were seeds. We are smart, engaged, and driven. Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed it is the only thing that ever has. The future is not something faraway, because the future starts today.