— courtesy Vance County Public Schools

Students in grades 6-8 at Eaton Johnson received a special message during three separate assemblies from Dentis Shaw, founder of the “Love, Forgive. Please Stop the Violence,” organization on September 5.

Shaw (shown in the accompanying photo) talked with the students from the three grade levels during sessions held in the school’s gymnasium. He was introduced at each session by the school’s new principal, Travis Taylor, who told the students that one of his goals as the leader of the school is to ensure their safety. When Shaw took the microphone, he spoke with passion to the students. He led them in chants as a commitment to stop bullying and to always think before they act in a situation that could escalate into violence.

“Violence is not the answer,” he told them. “You need to talk to each other and to other people you may have differences with. Things are never solved in a good way with violence. Guns and other weapons are not the answer to solving problems.”

He also urged the students to always respect the opinions of other people. He added that it is essential that they each respect themselves, their parents or guardians, family members and friends.

“If you have a special person you can talk to about problems, you need to do that,” Shaw said. “Talking through things is always a good option. You want your opinions to be heard and you need to remember that other people want you to hear them. So, listen to them. Talk it out.”

Shaw told the students to live by what he calls “the five word quote.”

That quote is, “I value myself and others,” he added.

Shaw drove his bright, pink vehicle with “Love. Forgive.” printed in large lettering on the sides and front to Eaton-Johnson. The Warren County native, says he plans to continue to spread his message of preventing bullying, stopping the violence and love and forgiveness throughout Vance County and the region.