On a slightly lighter note, this year has shown how powerful the youth of today can be in the face of tragedy and when they come together to fight for what they believe in. 

Survivors of the Parkland shooting came together to organize the first March for Our Lives, a demonstration held by a group of student survivors on March 24 to demand stricter gun control and accountability from the leaders of the United States, according to CNN. 

Survivors such as David Hogg, Emma González and Cameron Kasky banded together in a group called #NeverAgain, which helped organize the demonstration in Washington, D.C. that spurred countless other similar rallies all over the country. 

The following summer, the activists traveled all over the country by bus, speaking out against the issue and also registering students to vote in the 2018 midterm elections. 

The work of the survivors really struck a chord with young people all over America. Around 31 percent of voters ages 18 to 29 came out to vote in the midterms, the highest level of young voters in at least seven midterms, data from the The Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement shows. The young vote helped decide many close elections all over the nation and helped Democrats secure wins in multiple races. Young activists and advocates are the future, and they won’t stop until change happens in America.

The power of the youth should not be underestimated, but the U.S. still has a long way to go before students and teachers can truly feel safe in their schools. 

Since the Parkland shooting happened, 1,200 children have been killed at the hand of a gun, The Times reports. This number will just keep rising until stringent measures are taken.