Before Your Presentation I Had No Idea That Gangs....

Dear Mr. Harris,

To me, your presentation was truly enlightening! I love the fact that you are working to inform young people about the ever-changing and dangerous society.

I honestly would not have known about the dangers that I could possible face without you! It was an amazing presentation, I learned a lot about just how dangerous the streets could possible be. 

Before the presentation I had no idea that gangs posed such a treat to my everyday life!

Thank YOU for taking time our of your obviously busy day to inform us. It is duly noted.....

Aiken County School Student - "The Truth About Gangs- FEAR FACTOR" 2015  

The Best Thing For Students Is For You To Keep Going into Schools....

Dear Mr. Harris,

Thank you for telling us about the importance of Gangs' and Gang Violence. Although I wasn't considering joining a gang, it still gave me helpful insight on gangs.

Considering how much you can help, I might want to do what you do one day; I don't know what  its called, motivational speaking or saving lives...

Some people took something from this, including me. I now understand that I only get one life, and I want to make the most of it!

The Best Thing for students is for you to keep going into Schools.

Your Truly,
Aiken County Student at the "The Truth about Gangs - FEAR FACTOR" 2015

When the guy with the tattoos spoke.....

Your presentation was very informative, because there's a lot of things I didn't know about gangs. I basically normally hear the "cool" things. You let me know that there's really nothing cool about it.

When the guy with the tattoos spoke, I realized that being in a gang effects your whole life, even if you get away. the only thing that wasn't very good about your presentation what that the videos were too short!

You should find more that other than funerals and a guy with a hanging stomach, that really informs us. Also, I want to think you for telling me about Chief Keef. I never really liked his music anyways. He's untalented.

Thank you for going around to speak to kids, because it really does make a difference!

GANGS was the Topic today at my School!

I just listened to y'all and ya'll talked about gangs and how bad they are.

I have no connection to any gangs, never seen one, never encounter one, and the only gang I have heard of were the ones we talked about today. You all told me how terrible gangs are, what would and probably will happen if somebody joins a gang.

I will never join a gang. Too many people die or get injured. They always do illegal or bad things. I hope nobody joins a gangs that went to your presentation. If they do they deserve to go to jail!

I think that you are lucky to get out alive. I think your presentation changed a lot of minds, including mine even more, I never wanted to be in a gang, but now I'm certain! 

BN- Aiken Public Schools - Aiken SC 

Say NO!

I learned in this presentation about 

bullying and not to do drugs. 

About bullying is that if you bully somebody that can come back to you in the future. And what I learned about not doing drugs is that it can get you and your family in serious harm.

If you do drugs you think you all that if you do drugs you won't have an education in school. If you are on the corner of a street and selling drugs you think you own that corner.

What else I had learned is that if you be in a gang crew, you can get in serious harm. If you are a young boy or girl you don't need to be in a gang and try to own your corner. You need to get your education and believe people was in a gang.

I remember one day my cousin was in a gang and now its coming back on him. That same day my mom got a call from my auntie and said, "My cousin is in the hospital - he was shot!" My cousin was on the hill with his friends and there was a car behind them with tinted windows and the windows were rolled down and a gun was sticking out of it. They shot my cousin in the back of his head. He stayed in the mental hospital for a month. He could not move, he was paralyzed for a month.

Now he is out of the mental hospital and doing much better. He is out of the gang! He has a job!

I am so proud of him for becoming a better man in his life!

I thank the speakers - Leo, Devon, Yannik!

From Aiken County Public Schools - Aiken SC

The Presentation Was Funny, Serious, and at Times Mad me want to Cry..

I learned that gangs are very serious and they can lead to death. I also learned that there are local gangs and gang members that don't even really care about you.

Your actions can affect everyone not just you. It can affect your friends and family and others. I don't want to go to jail or hurt others.

The presentation was funny, serious, and at times made me want to cry.......

THANK YOU FOR THE PRESENTATION! 
AY - Aiken Schools - Aiken SC

MY LIFE - Past...Present...Thoughts From The Gang Presentation

I really loved +Leo Otero  talk like he said he never had is parents with him only his sisters. My mom was the same.

My mom when she was little she was always with my grandma, but my grandpa left to the United States and he never send money and but my  grandma loved my mom a lot. When my mom found my grandma was with another man, she ran away and it was sad for me.

She stayed with her aunts in Mexico and they treated her really bad - she started crying and crying. By the time she was 14 years old, she crossed the border and live in Texas and I was raise there. 

My mom started doing drugs and she was not doing good in school so she dropped out of high school and started cleaning and cooking for my uncles and aunts.

My mom is NOW HEALTHY going to church and now she has a BETTER LIFE. She told me this because all the struggle she has been and always tells me to get good grades.

I love football and I want a scholarship to go and play for the Gamecocks or another big school.

EG - Aiken Schools - Aiken SC  

Today I Learned How Gangs Can Be Very Dangerous.

Today I learned how gangs can be very dangerous.

After the assembly I learned not to join a gang. You can get killed or you can go to jail. You are expected to sell drugs if you are involved in a gang. If you don't do what your leader expects you to do you will get shot.

I also learned to not talk or take anything from people that either walk up to you and offer you something. Or if they ride by you in a car and offer you something. People think it is amazing to be in a gang. When really you could get hurt in it. Also to me, gangs mean a group of people who do things that change the world in positive or negative ways.

Everyone needs to know that gangs are bad. They expect you to do thing that you don't want to do. Or you could get killed or put in a jail or worse things could happen to you.

SH - Aiken Schools - Aiken SC

Today I Learned About The Ways Joining A Gang Can Ruin Your Life

Today I learned about many ways joining a gang can ruin your life. I learned about identity crisis and I will not ever get involved in a gang.

I learned about things they offer you. I learned gangs recruit  in schools. I am very glad that I was here for the presentation. These people did a very good job teaching us kids about gangs. The presentation was well put together.

They were TRUE STORIES from people that lived the life of gangs.  I learned that a lot of things people think they know about gangs are FAKE!

AP - Aiken Schools - Aiken SC

GANGS by the numbers....

1. Gangs are extremely violent and serious.
2. The Identity Crisis can lead to you being a gang member.
3. Gangs will get rid of any members that might rat them out.
4. Kids join gangs at young ages.
5. Gangs trick you.
6. Gangs have leaders.
7. Gangs are mainly drug dealers.
8. They give kids guns.
9. Gang members don't help others.
10. Members of gangs just follow their leaders.
11. Gangsters do drugs for adrenaline. 

NM - 7th grade - Aiken Schools - Aiken SC

Gangs Will Give No Future

I learned that if you make bad decisions you  might just do something bad to yourself.

I mean think about it, if you don't pay dues, you will get killed, that if, you do something bad for them. If you fail them, you will get killed. 

They will offer and make you sell drugs. They will give you guns and other weapons. If you do something bad in the house, the whole family will go to jail.

Gangs will give you no future! Gangs are stuck up liars. They are not honorable and are not protective.

You will always lose if you are in a gang. Gangs are stupid, you will hurt people and yourself. You will start in the 6th or 7th grade and you will not stop. It's horrible, don't get tricked.  Do you want to be in prison for 145 or more years? If you want too - well good luck, you will make the news!

If you are in a gang, you will get no mercy, trust, love, life and you will get KILLED!

KA - 7th grade - Aiken Schools- Aiken SC

Gangs Are A Menace TO Society!

Gangs are a menace to society and can harm you and other people.

If you see a gang, run away until you can't see them.  Joining a gang can lead to death, putting yourself in danger, putting your friends in danger, and putting your family in danger.

Gang are serious and no joking matter!  Everybody should stay away from gangs. Everyone should feel safe and comfortable around friends and family.

Gangs are bad, they have guns, and they can push you under peer pressure!

STOP GANGS IMMEDIATELY! ! 

CJ - Aiken Schools - Aiken SC

A Gang Will Lie To Your Face To Join.....

Today I learned that gangs are life-changing.

Some are good, but the majority is bad. A gang will lie to your face to join. They'll also use you, and you will suffer bad consequences usually from peer-pressure.

Some causes are: jail, medical conditions, pain, and most of all - DEATH!

Also, it's not just you who will suffers, but also family, friends, and close-ones. 

Being in a gang is a terrible thing, and I wish everyone knew what I know now.

Sincerely, CC - 7 Grade North Augusta Middle School - Aiken SC

Today's Presentation Was Very Moving....

Today presentation was very moving. 

I almost started crying like 5 different times. It was very informational, and great advice for the future. The Assembly kinda told me and informed me what to do and what not to do.

I know how it feels to be in situations you have been in sorta like me.  It was very moving especially about the baby and the bullet.  It was very sad, but that's how the world is and it is reality.....

SH - Middle School - Aiken SC 

I Wish There Was A Way to Get These People To Stop Doing These Crimes!

I thought it was very interesting.

It taught me a lot like - "Who to be and what not to do". It was kinda sad and yet life threatening. So many people die each day from gangs, drugs, and criminals, etc...

I wish there was a way to get these people to stop doing these crimes. So many bullies and people that I don't trust are here at North Augusta Middle School. But, I know we are protected yet, there is nothing wrong with not trusting someone. 

You guys have some really sad stories and I never want to go down that path.

Thanks you for taking time out of your schedule to do this.  Hopefully I will go down the right path.

Sincerely,  TS - North Augusta Middle School - Aiken SC

I Thought Gangs Were Like A Family, But I Was WRONG!!

I learned  a lot from today's assembly. 

  At first, I thought gangs were like a family, but I was WRONG! Its like "Hunger Games" everyone for himself. The gangs did not give respect to the members. So they couldn't killed them without any regrets. Why join it when there is NO RESPECT.......

The story of the Mexican man (Leo Otero) was really interesting to me. He robbed jewelry store with a guy. When he drove they guy home he drove around the neighborhood. Then he got caught by the cops. He told the guy that robbed the jewelry store with him take care of his wife and children. During the time the Mexican guy was in jail his wife live with the guy that robbed the jewelry store.

That's MESS UP!

Thanks
JN- Aiken Schools - Aiken SC

How You Impacted Me With Information about Gangs

I never really knew how bad a gang was. This presentation  was a huge eye opener for me. Especially when they talked to us about their own personal stories. It made me think that this happens everywhere and it made me more cautious about what's going on around me.

Out of all the stories you told me, I noticed that the leader of the gang depends on his followers to do everything for them. It kinda hurt me to realize that people in gangs had a harsh life before and when they get caught in a gang.

The gang is disloyal and doesn't care about the anymore. They did  so many bad things for the leader and taking bad chances and they just let them down. And the kids my age that went into gangs and then got killed or ran over for failing them.

But the guy in the funny book(gang leader mug shot) really got my attention. He(Larry Hoover) couldn't even touch a piece of paper, just a simple, harmless piece of paper.

After watching this presentation, I promised myself to never be in a gang or go near one.

Thank you so much for impacting my life and sharing the presentation with me and my friends.
I look forward to seeing you next year when I am in the 8th grade!
AY - Aiken County Schools

I've Seen The Real Deal - Gang Discussion

I just wanted to say thank you!  Yeah, I've heard about how drugs do bad things to you body but now I've seen the REAL DEAL.

WOW! I am never even gonna to look at drugs! Hopefully I never run into a gang or a member.  I am going to tell you what I learned today.

I learned that a gang can cause misery and misery after misery.  It also has a lot of consequences especially negative ones.  I also seen how and heard that gangs don't show you respect. They are not loyal.  I hope I'm not the only one but  I like to be respected and I like people who are trustworthy.

THANKS - MM - Aiken County Schools

Today I Heard A Lot of Stuff That I Need...

About what we hear about today....

Today I heard a lot of stuff that I needed. I think is help me a lot, it help me to stay away from violence.  I learned I should do the right thing. I should grow up to be a good person. And now I know that is not hard for you to grow up like a good person.

All you do is be yourself, you don't have to be a follower, do it your way, chose right choices. Be Strong. Trust in yourself. Go to college. Help out people. Thank about it before you do something.

If you grow up as a good person, you can help out the world help more and more people to grow as a good person. Then in the world there will not be anymore gangs, bad stuff happening. No more people will die just because stupid people do stupid stuff.

I know I am a smart person.....I WILL NOT GET INVOLVE INTO BAD STUFF!

CP - Aiken Schools

I'm Glad That These Three Men Came To Our School

This presentation today was amazing!

I learned a lot of stuff about gangs that I really didn't know.  I think it will help me and anyone else in the assembly in the future. Each man had a different story and something else to say about the horrors of gangs and what they will do to you, and how to stay away from gangs.

It was cool that we had people that have actually been involved in stuff like that to come forward and share their stories was really touching.

What was really touching thing to me was the story of the little boy that was killed by his own gang. That hit me hard. Because he was my age, and just to know someone my age would be involved in that scares me.

I glad that these three men came to our school. They taught me, and I sure everyone else many valuable lessons.

DH - 11 years old boy - Aiken Schools