Latest news with #SalemHighSchool
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Motivational speaker coming to Salem to talk to first responders
SALEM, Ohio (WKBN) — A motivational speaker is coming to the area to speak with local first responders. Travis Howze is an author and motivational wellness educator who tours internationally. He spent 14 years in the military and emergency services as a U.S. Marine, police officer and firefighter. He is the author of 'Create Your Own Light' and has been able to find healing after a traumatic past. He now teaches others about 'post-traumatic purpose,' an empowering course and presentation on leadership, mental wellness and resiliency, according to a news release. Howze is coming to Salem High School from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, May 31, to speak to first responders and veterans as part of an event sponsored by Camp Braveheart LLC. Camp Braveheart is a place where first responders and veterans can decompress after a hard day at work, and the organization provides information about mental health and dealing with stressful situations. Tickets for the event are available online. Salem Senior High School, where the event is being held, is located at 1200 E. 6th St. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Prom dress honors fallen classmate, Rockdale County teen killed on senior skip day
What was supposed to be a night of celebration became a bittersweet tribute for one Rockdale County high school senior, who honored her late prom date in a powerful, viral way. Reya Harrison, a senior at Salem High School, wore a custom-made prom dress by her uncle, Kyle Robertson, in memory of Justin Etienne, her friend and would-be date, who was shot and killed March 19 during a senior skip day at Denny Dobbs Park in Newton County. 'I walked outside and saw Justin hiding on the other side of the car, his hair poking out,' Harrison recalled, referencing the moment he asked her to prom. Etienne was killed just weeks after that 'promposal.' The tragedy left Harrison heartbroken and initially reluctant to attend prom at all. 'I was dreading it,' she said. 'I was very broken. Justin was the kindest person.' [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] But with encouragement from her family, Harrison decided to honor Etienne's memory in a unique and emotional way — by wearing a custom dress dedicated to him. The gown featured meaningful details: Etienne's name was painted on Harrison's nails, the lyrics from the promposal song, 'Heaven is a Place on Earth' by Mariah the Scientist, adorned her dress straps, and most strikingly, a portrait of Etienne in his matching rose gold tuxedo was printed on the gown's waist. 'When I saw it, I broke down crying,' Harrison said. 'I was so thankful to be able to do this for Justin, to show everyone how important he was.' A video of the moment Etienne's mother, Tierra Neil, delivered Harrison's corsage in her son's place has since gone viral as well. 'I knew he would want her to enjoy her prom despite the circumstances,' Neil said. 'That's how good of a kid my son was.' Neil is now working to ensure her son's death is not forgotten. She recently launched an organization called Justice for Justin, aimed at addressing youth gun violence. 'It was founded on hurt but built on hope,' Neil said. 'Hope that one day this senseless violence can stop, and parents like me won't have to bury their children.' Etienne will be honored by Salem High School during its graduation ceremony on May 21, Neil confirmed. TRENDING STORIES: Atlanta HVAC technician among 19 arrested in 'child predator' operation Have you received a random package you didn't order? It could all be part of a scam to defraud you Suspects found guilty in trial for man killed walking on Atlanta BeltLine [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Students weigh social media freedom vs. reasonable restrictions in civics essay contest
When social media impacts teen safety, are government regulations that may infringe on constitutional rights and freedoms justified? Salem High School senior Kendra Jozokos won first place for her essay tackling that topic in the New Hampshire Bar Foundation's first annual High School Civics Essay Contest. Jozokos earned a $5,000 cash award. Runners-up who each received a $2,500 cash award were Merrimack Valley High School senior Addyson Kimball, Hanover High School junior Benjamin Hourdequin and Bedford High School junior Eva Piacentini. The essay question was, 'Should the government be permitted to regulate social media for people under 18?' 'Every generation preserves democracy for the next,' said New Hampshire Bar Foundation Chair Scott Harris, who served as one of the judges. 'Part of the reason for this essay contest is because we want to energize the next generation to pick up the mantle of democracy, because it's as good a concept of government as we have, and it's only as good as those that support it. 'The essay learners have done a phenomenal job arguing both sides of a very difficult constitutional problem.' A panel of attorney judges evaluated each of the 124 submissions on criteria including the understanding of constitutional principles; originality, clarity, and depth of analysis; and grammar, spelling, composition and citations. State Supreme Court Chief Justice Gordon MacDonald said the students honored Tuesday, as well as all who entered the contest, 'inspire us and give us hope, give us confidence for the future.' 'Do we need all of that right now? Yes, we do,' MacDonald said. 'Attacks on basic norms, including the essential need for an independent judiciary, are on the rise and growing louder. Public confidence in our democratic institutions, including the judiciary, is on the decline.' Harris presented each contest winner with an award certificate and cash prize during an awards ceremony Tuesday at the New Hampshire Supreme Court in Concord. Jozokos said in her own life she's seen how, 'even with my parents supporting me and trying to make it safe, I still was able to access things I shouldn't be able to access.' In her winning essay, Jozokos wrote teenage social media use has been linked to significant concerns regarding mental health, online safety, and exposure to inappropriate or even harmful content. 'Given these risks, government intervention to regulate minors' social media use is both justified and necessary,' Jozokos wrote. 'The government has a compelling interest in protecting minors from harmful content and excessive social media consumption due to its impact on mental health, privacy, and online safety. However, while reasonable restrictions on what minors can access are justified, their right to express themselves online should remain protected under the First Amendment." Bedford High's Piacentini wrote that placing government limitations on social media usage by youth would be 'an unconstitutional overreach, violating free speech, parental rights, and personal liberties.' 'While mental well-being and online safety concerns are valid, constitutional rights should not be traded off in the name of protection,' Piacentini wrote. 'Keeping youth safe from social media dangers is critical, but relinquishing fundamental freedoms is not the solution.' Piacentini said it's a topic 'that's been present throughout my entire life.' 'My parents have always had very strong feelings on social media, so when I saw what the topic was, I was very intrigued,' Piacentini said. 'I really wanted to give my point of view, because throughout my entire life I've known many people, like my friends, not having much restrictions from their parents, and so I've learned the differences between that and it was very important to me to talk about this topic.' Addyson Kimball of Merrimack Valley High School wrote that while concerns over privacy and safety are valid, 'sweeping governmental restrictions on minors' social media use would create more constitutional problems than solutions.' 'The government's interest in protecting minors does not override their right to free speech, nor does it justify imposing regulations that would diminish parental autonomy and limit youth civic engagement,' Kimball wrote. 'Instead, the focus should be on targeted measures that increase corporate accountability and strengthen privacy protections without infringing upon constitutional rights.' Hanover High School's Hourdequin, who will intern with the state Supreme Court this summer, wrote that social media poses a 'clear danger to young people,' but said the U.S. has 'thrived by upholding its constitutional principles without exception.' 'Our founders secured our rights against government overreach, so we must accept the inefficiencies of legislating within Constitutional bounds because following protocol, however inconvenient, defends our systems from tyranny,' wrote Hourdequin.
Yahoo
24-03-2025
- Yahoo
Second teen suspect arrested in shooting death of 18-year-old on senior skip day
Deputies have arrested a second suspect in the deadly shooting of a high school senior at a Newton County park. Salem High School senior Justin Etienne died Wednesday after he was shot at Denny Dobbs Park while celebrating senior skip day. Deputies said the teen was an innocent bystander. Deputies arrested 16-year-old Jarvis Hinton Jr. on Friday. On Monday, the sheriff's office announced the arrest of 17-year-old Tashshawn Lyons. Deputies said that Lyons also attends Salem High School and was hurt while trying to run away from the shooting. He was taken to the hospital, but is now at the Newton County Detention Center. Both Hinton and Lyons have been charged with murder, aggravated assault, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, possession of a firearm by a person under the age of 18 and reckless conduct. This is a developing story. We'll have the latest on Channel 2 Action News at 4:00 p.m. RELATED STORIES: Family remembers Salem High School senior shot and killed at park in Newton County 18-year-old killed in metro Atlanta park while celebrating Senior Skip Day, deputies say Police arrest teen in shooting death of 18-year-old at Newton Co. park on Senior Skip Day [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
23-03-2025
- Yahoo
Family remembers Rockdale County High School senior shot and killed
Around a hundred family and friends gathered in Conyers Saturday afternoon for a balloon release in memory of 18-year-old, Justin Etienne. Etienne died Wednesday at Denny Dobbs Park in Newtown County after being shot and killed during a Senior Skip Day event. Police said Jarvis Hinton Jr., 16, of Covington, is facing charges of murder, aggravated assault, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, possession of a firearm by a person under the age of 18 and reckless conduct. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] 'A lot of this senseless gun violence needs to stop,' Etienne's father, Hugh Neil said. 'Young kids are not living to 20.' Saturday, family, and friend shared memories of Etienne during the memorial at Earl O'Neal Park. 'Everyone said my son was the nicest kid ever,' said Etienne's mother, Tierra Neil. 'He was the most caring, genuine, he did not deserve this.' His parents say Justin was a senior on the soccer team at Salem High School. He had already been accepted to Georgia State University, but they say he was waiting on his SAT scores Friday to see if he got into Kennesaw State. TRENDING STORIES: Atlanta-area rapper pleads guilty to bringing stolen loaded 'machinegun' into hospital labor unit Docuseries about Atlanta's 'Magic City' strip club to premiere this summer At least 3 killed, 14 injured in mass shooting at New Mexico park Now, they say instead of planning where he is going to college. They are now planning a funeral. 'I wish I was there to stand in front of those bullets to take it for my child. Y'all might as well kill me too,' said Tierra Neil. 'I don't even know how I'm going to get through this.' His family is still planning his funeral services. The family set up a GoFundMe to help them pay for it. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
