In a poignant address at a recent Brunswick County Schools meeting, 8th grader Victoria Beth urged local officials to prioritize student safety over recreational spending. Drawing on the tragic history of school shootings, she highlighted the urgent need for metal detectors in schools, emphasizing that the current budget allocates over $650,000 for athletic equipment and playgrounds, while a mere $280,000 could provide metal detectors for every school.

Beth's speech resonated deeply as she recounted the fear that students face daily, stating, \"As a 13-year-old girl, I should be scared about getting my heart broken by a boy, not being scared that my life will be ended when I'm sitting in class.\" She referenced the devastating impacts of school shootings in small towns across the country, questioning, \"What's stopping someone from doing the same to Shiloh?\"

Her call to action was clear: the community must prioritize safety measures to ensure that students can attend school without fear. \"All I'm asking for is that me and my friends and the kids in Brunswick County don't have to have a last goodbye when getting out of the car,\" she implored.

The meeting proceeded with the approval of minutes from previous sessions, but Beth's heartfelt plea for enhanced security measures left a lasting impression on attendees, highlighting the pressing need for a shift in focus towards student safety in educational environments.