Columbine survivor Crystal Woodman Miller works to prevent school violence

April 18, 11:43 PMChild Safety ExaminerSusan Carney

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Ten years ago, Crystal Woodman Miller was a sixteen year old student studying for a test in her high school library when two armed students burst in and changed forever how we think about school safety. Now, she is a tireless advocate for violence prevention, including work asw the spokesperson for PAX's SPEAK UP campaign.  Recently, I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to interview Crystal about her experience and the impact it has had on her life.

What do you remember most about the day of the Columbine shootings?

“It is striking to recall the stark contrast between being an ordinary sixteen year old on the morning of April 20, 1999 to becoming a survivor of, what was at the time, the worst school shooting in United States history. It's amazing how seven and a half minutes can change everything forever. I remember the fear that gripped me as I was hiding under the table, waiting to die. The fear of dreams never realized, the fear of never seeing family and friends, the fear of a wasted life, the fear of imminent danger, the fear of death, the fear of these two boys with guns and bombs, the fear of pain. Fear is such a scary feeling. I remember the chaos and the confusion during and after the event. I remember feeling like a zombie in the days and weeks to follow as I processed everything at such a young age.”

Can you talk a little bit about your work in the area of violence prevention?

"For ten years I have spent my time speaking around the world, to students and adults alike, about my story and challenging them to do their part to stop attacks at their own schools and in their own communities. I started a character building, nonviolent school assembly program, which focuses on choices and influences students make in their lives, and treating fellow classmates with kindness and respect. I believe this is one piece to making schools a better place, but with the 866-SPEAK UP hotline, I can give students a tangible and practical tool if they hear of a threat or know of someone planning an attack."

If you could say one thing to students about how they can prevent violence in their schools, what would it be? 

"I would tell students to be aware. To have a careful eye and ear out for anything that seems unusual, and to report something threatening immediately. I would tell students to take threats seriously, and to understand that if they don't pick up the phone and call 1-866-SPEAK UP- then who will? They have the potential to save their own lives and that of their classmates and become what I believe is a hero! Students are the eyes and ears at a school, more so then teachers and administrators, so they have the power to help change the future of school violence."