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  

Your Presentation Made a Lot of People re-think their ideas....

Dear Mr. Harris,

I appreciate that you came out to talk to us. I think your presentation made a lot of people re-think their ideas. I am glad you made time to come talk to us.

Your presentation was really interesting!  I enjoyed hearing how the man with you decided to change and make good choices. I also enjoyed how the woman started to make good choices too.

Your presentation was really nice! Even though some parts were disturbing. Other than that I enjoyed your presentation.

After hearing your presentation, I am never going to join a gang. I never even planned on joining one in the first place especially after watching those videos and listening to your presentation.

Sincerely, 
Aiken County 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

If I continue to listen to "Drill Music" it will lead me to committing a crime....

I appreciate you and your team taking the time to come to our school and showing us the right path to success. It really caught my attention when you were talking about "Chief Keef" and the drill music.

In my school, I'm known for listening to drill music all the time, but have yet to commit a crime. I don't plan on committing any crimes but  I know if I continue listening to "Drill Music" it will lead me to it.

For all three times you've came here I've actually paid close attention to your presentations. You have guided me from 6th grade to the 8th grade without doing nothing out of line and I want to thank you with this letter.....

Your Friend - 
Aiken County SC Student - 2015

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 

If I Do Bad Things, Bad Things Will Happen to Me.

This assembly had a pretty decent impact on me, because I have always heard about gangs but never really knew what they were.

But this gave me a pretty good picture of what gangs are and how to avoid them. Also, this told me to be my own person and don't let peer pressure influence me. Now I'm not the most well like person in the school. You should have seen how much stuff was written about me in the bathroom stalls!  But I would rather be hated and not be involved with gangs than be living like people want me too and be involved in gangs.

A really big point was proved to me as well - Even if I did not do anything but I will still face the same consequences that the person who actually did it if I'm involved.

These things will also leave an impact on my mind and heart, because if I'm in a gang and kill someone that memory will forever imprint on my mind and there will always be a pit in my heart. Because I took the life of an innocent person who could have moved on to do big things in life.

So, this assembly educated me that if I do bad things, bad things will happen to me.  

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

Life Is Not A Game

After the presentation it taught me that life is not a game. I have to take responsibility for my actions. 

The life of a gang member is something people should not be in. I now know how to react to people who want me to be in a gang. I learned that people in a gang are making bad choices. These causes are medical conditions, death, and prison.

Another reason is because gangs aren't family. They are not your friends. They are people who wants you to believe, but one wrong step will get you killed. If people want to make the wrong choices and get into the life of crime and do bad things, then they are making bad decisions.

The presentation also taught me that gangs are dangerous and do not want to come between them. The life of a gang is a bad place. It could harm you, your family, and everything that maters to you will be gone if you join a gang.

After being in a gang and abandoned the life will scar you for life!

ZM  - Aiken 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 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