When people ask Kyle Tice why he has a website dedicated to teen suicide, the soft spoken senior look pensive. He ponders the question and in a voice barely audible he says it’s for his friend.
A close friend committed suicide
August 8, 2005, and the aftermath has left a lasting impression on those he left behind, especially Tice.
“The site came about because I wanted to do something after a tragic event happened to my loved one,” he said. “I knew very little about the topic of suicide so I started researching as a way of coping with my grief.”
His dedication has carried over into his school life. This semester Tice and other members of the Health Occupations Students of America put together a power point presentation on the impact of teen suicide on the entire community. They will present the power point at the district convention in
Irving next week.
Members of the group include Lacey Bruce, Lainie Crane, Erin Manning and Tice.
“It’s three girls and me,” Tice said. “That’s good.”
The group sold T-shirts and bracelets to help raise funds for the trip.
“I didn’t think when I started the website that it would lead to this,” Tice said. “I hope we make an impact.”
This is the first time HOSA has worked on a community awareness project.
“This program is about letting kids know they are not alone and that there are people out there who care,” HOSA adviser Robin Gosdin said.
To visit the website go to
www.speakloud.org
. Along with suicide prevention guidelines, the site offers a forum for people to express their thoughts on events affecting teens’ lives.