I want you to know how deeply proud so many of us are of you.
Your compassion, your awareness and your willingness to stand up for what you believe matters more than you may realize right now.
You saw something happening in the world that concerned you, and instead of looking away, you tried to respond. That takes courage. That takes heart.
I’m old enough to be your grandmother. My first act of civic engagement was a high school walkout protesting the Vietnam War and the draft. I helped organize it. I remember how much work it took, how nervous we were, how big it felt. But I never feared physical harm. My biggest worries were detention or being grounded. The fact that you had to weigh threats to your safety says far more about this moment than it does about you.
Calling off the walkout was not weakness. It was wisdom. Protecting yourselves and each other is not surrender — it is strength.
What matters most is this: you cared. You were willing to act. You were willing to raise your voices. Every time someone your age does that, it reminds the rest of us that democracy is not automatic — it requires people who are paying attention.
Do not let cruelty convince you to shrink. Do not let intimidation convince you that your voice is unwelcome. The ability to think critically, to question, to empathize and to imagine something better is extraordinary. Hold onto that.
There are many adults in this community who see you, who admire you, and who believe in you — even if we aren’t always the loudest ones online.
Stay thoughtful. Stay kind. Stay brave. And take care of one another.
With respect and gratitude always.
Jan Nontell
Centralia
