Memory of Murdered Teen Emily Keyes Inspires "I Love U Guys" Foundation | Gimundo

Memory of Murdered Teen Emily Keyes Inspires “I Love U Guys” Foundation

Before her death in a senseless shooting at Platte Canyon High School, Emily Keyes sent a text message to her parents: I Love U Guys. Now, that message has served as the inspiration for a non-profit to improve school safety.

By Gimundo Staff. Posted on May 26 2010

By Katie Leavitt for Tonic.com

On September 27, John-Michael and Ellen Keyes’ life drastically, and tragically, changed. Their daughter, Emily, was murdered by another student who held seven girls hostage at Platte Canyon High School near Denver, CO. Six of them survived, but Emily was shot right before the SWAT team approached. The gunman then shot himself.

During the four-hour standoff, Emily texted her parents, “I Love U Guys” and that was the last they heard from their daughter.

Since then, the Keyes family has been determined to increase school safety and the overall joy that should be found in youth. “This thing changed our lives. You can’t go back on that, so we go forward, make something positive from it,” Ellen Keyes told the Denver ABC affiliate.

One of the foundation’s biggest accomplishments to date has been the establishment of the Standard Response Protocol. The system implements standard vocabulary and action commands to be followed by school teachers, administration and students during an emergency situation. Since having different terms mean different things at different institutions, the protocol helps to communicate effectively to the school inhabitants, as well as first responders and the public, what type of situation is unfolding.

In addition to school safety, the foundation is working to control the “Digital Modesty” issues that so greatly affect today’s youth. Through The Sexting Conversation campaign, they hope to spread awareness about the dangers of sexting and other inappropriate activities on the Internet and other digital platforms.

Their latest initiative, “Regretting is Harder,” is a PSA and classroom curriculum program working in conjunction with Safe2Tell, a helpline organization which provides a phone number to call in case of a threat to oneself, one’s family, friends, or community.

Even though the Keyes’ were faced with having to deal with the murder of their young child, they deeply instill the values of kindness, community and responsibility throughout the foundation’s efforts. Through “I Love U Guys” initiated programs, as well as working together with other organizations, the foundation is determined to help children and teenagers recognize what it means to embrace being young and the happiness that should come with it. By helping students overcome peer pressure, learn to respect themselves and deal with tough situations that may arise, “I Love U Guys” hopes to end needless violence and to help protect the joy of being a kid.

Each year a motorcycle ride, known as Emily’s Parade, takes place starting from fellow tragedy-stricken Columbine High School traveling to Platte Canyon High School. This year, the event will be held September 26.

Photo by David Oberbeck courtesy of The “I Love U Guys” Foundation.

Filed under: Non-Profits,

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