Sisters students took safety concerns to Washington

When word of the mass shooting of students in Parkland, Florida hit the news, Lisa Clausen experienced the all-too-familiar anger and frustration aroused by earlier shootings.

"It is unimaginable to me that we can have 5- and 6-year-old first-graders slaughtered in their classroom and do nothing about it... This time feels different, primarily because there are some very strong and articulate students who have been personally impacted by gun violence that are raising their voices," Clausen said.

She decided to do something, and she planted the seed of an idea in the community, put in the work to bring it to fruition, garnered some support from the community, and provided a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for four young women from Sisters High School to experience Washington, D.C.

The four girls who were chosen to make the trip were seniors Sophia Bianchi and Mary Florian and juniors Nancy Montecinos and Meaghan Greaney.

Prior to leaving on the trip the students worked very hard to craft a position paper outlining six initiatives to help solve the problem of school shootings in America. They had the opportunity to present their initiatives to Oregon Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley as well as Representative Greg Walden.

The paper concluded with, "Please, help us protect the children of America by taking action to enforce measures that would prevent these things from happening."

The students spent five days in Washington, with Clausen as their chaperone, touring the city, meeting with Oregon's elected officials, visiting Congress and the Supreme Court as well as a number of museums, meeting with Emerge, an organization that teaches women how to be effective candidates for elected office, and taking part in the March for Our Lives on March 24 with 800,000 other marchers from all over the country.

"For me personally, the trip to D.C. was really never about the march," Clausen said. "It really was about the work, and exposing some Sisters students to the political and legislative process. While the march was a powerful moment and a conduit to the work, it was a means to an end and not the end itself."

Clausen hopes the students understand that "the privilege of voting is the most powerful tool they are given to impact their lives and hope they take that responsibility seriously." She doesn't want to see them "turn over their power to someone else" by not voting.

According to the girls themselves, Clausen's hope is becoming reality.

"Now that I am 18 and able to vote, I know more than ever that my vote matters, and that the amazing privilege given to me is also incredibly important to make a difference in this country," said senior Mary Florian.

Meaghan Greaney, a junior, added, "After this trip I have definitely felt more involved in the government and compelled to stay informed about the stances that our elected officials are taking on important issues."

Junior Nancy Montecinos indicated the trip had increased her interest in politics, "and has pushed me to stay more involved in government, by voting in the future and participating in marches and just being more aware of the issues in our country."

"I plan to be a strong participator in our government, and do things like participate in marches, vote, and use my voice to fight for the world that I want," senior Sophia Bianchi said.

All four of the students came home from Washington feeling empowered and hopeful.

After meeting with the women in the Emerge office, Bianchi felt "very encouraged and ... more confident about my future and how I should make decisions."

Bianchi and Greaney earlier this year started the Unity Club at SHS to promote acceptance and tolerance so they are involved in bringing change in their own sphere of influence.

Clausen hoped the girls would gain "the knowledge that the government is for the people and by the people and that anyone and everyone can have a seat at the table. Even students from Sisters, Oregon."

"Going on this trip and participating in something so important has taught me that I have so much potential and influence that I can and must take advantage of if I want to get something done," Bianchi said.

Florian told The Nugget, "I learned that my voice, and all the voices of students and people from a small town matter. I learned that if you push, your representative will hear your opinion, and take it into consideration."

Participating in the March for Our Lives was a highlight of the trip for all four students.

"During the march it felt like change might actually be coming and that the young people of this country are really going to start taking control of our future. It felt different than any other time," Greaney said.

Florian concurred, "Coming out of the march I was more confident than ever that it wasn't a moment, it's a movement."

"This event showed me that change is possible when you use your voice to fight for it, and that we can achieve better gun laws," Bianchi added.

"This march was important because we as a generation are showing that we are here to shake things up and show that we are serious about making a change for future generations," Montecinos said.

The trip was funded by donations from various local residents as well as Clausen herself. Others also supplied gift cards to Starbucks, Jamba Juice, and Whole Foods.

Clausen indicated she would do the trip again, but differently:

"I would like to see donors help to provide funds to a nonprofit. Juniors would apply to take the trip during their senior year. Donors would vet the students and decide on two students to take, along with an adult community member who has a particular interest in a legislative issue, such as climate change."

Gratitude for the opportunity to make the trip and experience all they saw, did, and heard was evident in all the remarks made by the girls.