Monday, Feb. 7, 2011 | 1 p.m.
RELATED STORY: Local students weigh in on current events following Tucson tragedy
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It's been a month since the horrific shooting in Tucson that left six people dead and 13 wounded. Among the injured was Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, who was shot in the head but is recovering.
The shooting's youngest victim was 9-year-old Christina Taylor Green. In a speech, President Barack Obama called for national harmony and eulogized Christina along with the other shooting victims.
Christina "showed an appreciation for life uncommon for a girl her age," Obama said. "I want to live up to her expectations, I want our democracy to be as good as Christina imagined it, I want America to be as good as Christina imagined it."
As the nation continues to reflect on what happened, the Sun wanted to know what young people in our community are thinking about the future of America.
Their responses to the Sun's questions are condensed and edited for clarity.
Responses from students at Henderson International School are below. To read responses from other students around the valley, click here.
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Hunter Goeken, a sixth-grader at Henderson International School.
Hunter Goeken, a sixth-grader at the Henderson International School, poses at the school Jan. 28, 2011.
At your age, how do you learn about important issues and stay updated on politics?
I learn a lot just talking with my friends and my classmates and teachers. One person who got me interested was my grandpa because he always talks about politics and the latest news. My parents and I discuss these things a lot, and I try to watch the news. If you start at a young age, learning about it and getting involved with it, it can help you build a smarter community.
Nick Visconti, a sixth-grader at the Henderson International School, poses at the school Jan. 28, 2011.
Nick Visconti is a sixth-grader at Henderson International School.
The tragedy in Tuscon has stirred a conversation about the way we talk to each other about politics. How do you think we can bring more civility and respect to those kinds of conversations?
Personally, I don't think it's going to stop. But people should worry about themselves and what they're going to do.
If you have the right mindset and you're doing good things, you don't need to worry about the other person.
Daniel Capp, a sixth-grader at Henderson International School, poses at the school on Friday, January 28, 2011.
Daniel Capp is a sixth-grader at Henderson International School.
How did you feel when you first heard about Tucson?
When you hear it -- when you put your mind in their perspective, it's really horrifying.
This guy is just shooting at people and they had to be wondering: "Why me?"
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