The impact of mass shootings on a dear friend and her efforts to effect change

On May 18, 2018, my beloved friend who I consider family, Rosie Stone, lost her only son Christopher Jake Stone during a catastrophic mass school shooting that took Chris's life, the lives of nine other innocent people, and left 13 others wounded.

Chris was a 17-year-old junior that day at Texas's Santa Fe High School. When shotgun blasts erupted, Chris ran. Then Chris hid. Finally he fought by valiantly using his teenaged body to save the lives of others.

In September 2021, Rosie accepted the United States Congressional Medal of Honor, Young Hero Award, for the valor Chris exhibited in one of too many shootings that have occurred in our nation's schools over the years.

Although accepting this honor on Chris' behalf gave Rosie comfort, she lives every day dealing with the horror and pain of Chris's tragic loss. Each time another mass shooting erupts, such as the catastrophe on May 24, 2022 at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, Rosie's gaping wound is pulled open.

Rosie does not want another parent to suffer what she is suffering, and thus Rosie works diligently toward the goal of prevention.

Rosie, center, with Lori Alhadeff, mother of Alyssa 14, who was murdered at the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida on February 14, 2018. This photograph was taken on July 29, 2018 at the WVPI two day symposium "From Columbine to Noblesville." It was attended by survivors, family members, activists and other interested parties who want to see an end to the continuing tragedy of school shootings.

Rosie's dream is to see a law passed to ensure children, teachers, faculty and staff are kept safe called "the Stone law." Please stay tuned to this blog for more information on Rosie's efforts in this regard.