Earlier this month, a 15-year-old girl and former student of mine was missing. She was reported as running away from home with her boyfriend. Thankfully, she was located.
Four days ago, a 15-year-old boy and former student of mine went missing. He is still missing according to the Joplin Police Department (Find their Facebook page for more information.). This student participated in our Math League sessions and qualified to attend the state competition while he was in my class, qualifying him to put a pie in a teacher's face. Once again, we pray for the safe return of this young man.
Four days ago, a 15-year-old boy and former student of mine went missing. He is still missing according to the Joplin Police Department (Find their Facebook page for more information.). This student participated in our Math League sessions and qualified to attend the state competition while he was in my class, qualifying him to put a pie in a teacher's face. Once again, we pray for the safe return of this young man.
[Update: he has been located and is no longer missing.]
It perplexes me that some of the students in this class have been so successful - lettering during their first year at Joplin High School or securing spots in musicals and dramas - but at the same time, others have shown signs of depression or have come up as running away from home or missing. Perhaps the latter have experienced the final countdown, believing there is nothing for them at home or in school. Maybe they don't think they can find peace, or maybe they are looking for their rightful places in the world. Or is it possible that these teenagers are making a last ditch effort to overcome some undesirable item or event in their lives? Is the school system failing them? Are their families failing them? Are they not being taught resilience, or coping and problem-solving skills? I wish I understood more - or that I could say something when a kid is 10 that could propel them forward with enough force to preserve stability in their lives. Perhaps all of us who come into contact with youth need to reevaluate our own part in their lives.
