"When NOT to Keep a Secret"

Jessica Davidson

Local Student Wins Essay Contest

by Jim Evans

With the recent fifth anniversary of the Columbine, Colo. killings and student violence on the increase in schools across the country, it has become increasingly important to encourage students to communicate openly with their parents, faculty, and law enforcement agencies when they hear conversations or threats of violence.

To that end, each year the California Medical Associa-tion Alliance, in partnership with lawmakers, medical and psychiatric associations, honors student award winners of its High School Essay Project, "When Not to Keep a Secret."

The first-place statewide contest winner for 2004 is Jessica Davidson of Julian, a ninth-grade student at Mountain Valley Academy in Ramona.

The annual essay project is directed toward ninth- and 10th-grade students as part of the Alliance’s SAVE (Stop America’s Violence Everywhere) program. It is designed to let students know that it’s OK, and even necessary, to "tell" when violent talk is overheard, and to provide resources for students, parents, and teachers when threatening situations arise.

The essay project began as a project of the American Psychiatric Association Alliance and, with collaboration from the CMAA, was successfully introduced to other county alliances. It became a statewide project last year. The project was further introduced to the American Medical Association and the concept quickly spread across the country.

Jessica’s essay, titled "Please Don’t Go," focuses on a fictitious student faced with the difficult decision of breaking her pledge of secrecy with a friend who begins talking about committing suicide. Suicide is the second-leading cause of death among teenagers in the United States — second only to traffic accidents — and 1 out of every 3 teenagers has contemplated suicide ("Suicide Facts," National Institutes of Health).

"It seemed to be the most important topic among the choices for the essay, and I spent almost a month researching it before starting to write," Jessica said.

Her English teacher, Janet DeSantis, is proud of Jessica. "She worked hard on this project, and I hope that other students will learn by her example and participate in the competition next year," DeSantis said.

Other sponsors of the prestigious award include the California Medical Association, California Psychiatric Association, American Psychiatric Association Alliance, Light for Life Foundation, California School Nurses Organization and Student Support Services.

Jessica will fly to Sacramento with her mother, Tammy Krieger, and DeSantis, compliments of Southwest Airlines, to participate in the presentation ceremony on May 7. She will receive her award and a $1,000 savings bond. U.S. Surgeon General Vice Admiral Richard H. Carmona, M.D., M.P.H., F.A.C.S., will be the guest speaker at the ceremony.

"I hope to continue to improve my writing skills so that I can contribute to the Watchtower Magazine," said Jessica, a devout Jehovah’s Witness. "That’s how people become great writers — one step at a time."