A Thousand Words

An innocent girl is killed in a school shooting and a small New Hampshire community is devastated. Many months later, one of the girl's closest friends, Trent, is still struggling to accept what has happened. His friends have all found a way to go on with their lives, but Trent, for reasons unknown to anyone, cannot. In fact, he is paralyzed by an unfounded guilt for being unable to act during the violent horrific scene. His friends, parents, and even his psychologists can't help him move on, but when his brother arrives home from college, there is hope. He is the source of understanding which sways Trent to realize that life is worth living to the fullest, despite its tragedies. Written by a high school student, the play's difficult subject is handled with great compassion, and this will certainly register with your students.