Today, students at Fort Osage High School may have noticed teachers and students around the building wearing green. The reason behind this is that it is Semicolon day, the second day of Fort Support week. To kick off Semicolon day, Sophomore Triston Turner greeted students with a speech after the morning bell.

“Semicolon day is a national movement started in 2013 to reduce the number of suicides in the world by creating a collective responsibility of each and every person telling everyone, ‘your story isn’t over yet,’” Turner said in his announcement over the PA.
“Our hope today is that we will remind everyone that there is always a sign of hope and continuation.”

This is the second day of Fort Support week at the school. Junior Fai Thomas was proud to show her support.

“[I wore green today] to support all people who are going through something and to show them I’m behind them all the way,” Thomas said.

Freshman Jazmyne Johnson has a special reason she wore green today.

“I have family who has been suicidal, and it hits close to home,” Johnson said. “I love seeing students wear green because it spreads awareness for people like my family. You really never know who around you is struggling with depression or any mental illness.”

Each day of Fort Support week also features a challenge. Today’s challenge was to find a care partner.

“Our goal for semicolon day here at Fort Osage High School is to bring awareness that members of our Fort Family deal with depression, addiction, and thoughts about self-injury and suicide,” Turner said in his morning announcement. “We encourage all Fort Family members that no matter how bad things seem to be you are never alone. You always have people at this high school to talk to that will help you out regardless of the situation. It could be a teacher, a friend, a custodian, a cafeteria worker, a counselor, a secretary, or a coach. There will always be someone that you can reach out to.”

The week continues with Celebrate Our Differences day  on Wednesday, Thursday is Pay if Forward day and Friday is Fort Pride Day.