On May 30th, 2015, the second annual Take a Stand: Suicide Awareness Rally was held at Remedy Church in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. The rally was organized by South High student Raeni Kovacs, with the purpose of raising awareness of suicide and giving people resources to help themselves or friends in need. When asked what inspired Take a Stand, Kovacs stated, “Take a Stand started with the death of my best friend my sophomore year. She would have been graduating this year and she still had so much to live for.” Instead of simply trying to move on with life, she took a heartbreaking situation and turned it into an opportunity to help others and make a difference in their lives. To set about accomplishing her goal, Kovacs put together the Take a Stand: Suicide Awareness rally. This year’s rally featured five bands performing empowering songs, various speakers sharing their testimonies about suicide, a local artist selling her work to raise funds for the cause, and various other activities including string theory and a candlelit walk. Kovacs’ efforts were not in vain. “The string theory impacted me the most,” stated Senior Hannah Smith. “Even if you didn’t know the person, you got to know their story and it brought everyone together.” For those that do not know, string theory is an activity where a group stands in a circle, throws a ball of string around, and shares a story when the ball is thrown to them. North High student Darshon Wisecup added, “I really enjoyed the comfort of combined and alike minds communicating with each other. It made me feel understood, and at some points, made me realize that I actually have a good life to hold on to.” Take a Stand does not stop when the annual rally ends for the night. Kovacs and her counterparts run a Facebook page throughout the year on which they share inspirational photographs and stories, give resources for those struggling with suicide, and provide updates on upcoming rallies and events. In addition, Kovacs’ efforts to raise awareness for suicide have led to May 30th being proclaimed Take a Stand: Suicide Awareness Day in the city of Sheboygan. With so much accomplished within two short years, one may wonder where Take a Stand has planned for the future. To answer this question, Kovacs explained, “We are planning on becoming a nonprofit organization within the year so we can have more access to the community and so we can get together on a more regular basis.” There is no doubt that Take a Stand will go on to do great things. Kovacs has set into motion a movement that will change lives, and South High School is proud to call her one of their own.