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| Mr. Mitchell and Sister Anne Catherine, O.P. in front of Kristin's class of 2001 photo. |
With the final months of school approaching, Mrs. Marlatt gathered an assembly for the seniors to prepare them for some experiences they hopefully will not encounter in the "real world." Mr. Bill Mitchell, president of “Kristin’s Krusade,” came to speak about dating violence. His daughter, Kristin, a 2001 graduate of MDS, was murdered by her boyfriend in 2005.
“We just want you to come home safe,” said Mrs. Marlatt, English teacher, whose own two daughters passed away in a tragic accident in 2001.
Soon after her graduation from Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia in 2005, Kristin’s boyfriend of four months brutally murdered her after she tried to break up with him. Since then, Mr. Mitchell has traveled across the country to spread awareness about dating violence and abusive relationships, even appearing on Good Morning America. In 2007, Kristen’s friends teamed up with the Mitchell family to start a race called “Kristen’s Krusade” to help victims of dating violence.
Mr. Mitchell began his talk with a slideshow video paying tribute to Kristin and promoting the message of “Kristin’s Krusade.” Throughout the talk, Mr. Mitchell gave background on Kristin’s life and how his life has changed since the tragedy. He also shared text messages Kristen sent to her boyfriend, such as, “You are being ridiculous, why can’t I hang out with my friends?”
Students were deeply affected by Mr. Mitchell’s presentation. He provided information cards containing warning signs of an abusive relationship. Some of the signs include:
-Constant put-downs
-Controlling or dominant behavior
-Checking your cell phone or email without your permission
-Explosive temper
-Extreme jealousy or possessiveness
-Big mood swings
-Constantly checking up on you via calls or texts.
-Constant put-downs
-Controlling or dominant behavior
-Checking your cell phone or email without your permission
-Explosive temper
-Extreme jealousy or possessiveness
-Big mood swings
-Constantly checking up on you via calls or texts.
“We’ve all read about dating violence, especially with the Yeardley Love and George Huguely news,” said senior Meg Thomas. "We learned about ways to help if a friend is being abused.
For more information go to http://www.kristinkrusade.org/.
-C. O'Keefe '12
For more information go to http://www.kristinkrusade.org/.