Editorial
The courage in telling

Students hear their peers say many things each and very day. Some may include voicing frustration about a classmate, a teacher or even a parent.

Teenagers and pre-teens today have to make big decisions these days about who to tell and when to tell.

While movies and TV glorify the code of silence among everyone from cops to thugs - who wants to be known as a "rat"? - the real courage comes in speaking out about a potential threat.

No one honestly could have predicted the tragedy that occurred last Friday at Lincoln- Sudbury Regional High School when Princeton teen John Odgren allegedly stabbed classmate James Alenson to death outside a school bathroom. Those who knew him say Odgren was quiet and socially awkward, prone to erratic behavior, a symptom of Asperger Syndrome, a form of autism.

According to published reports, there were troubling signals exhibited by Odgren: boasting about wanting to kill someone, conducting Internet research about building a homemade bomb, discussions about owning weapons.

Students heard these things, some later telling reporters they were concerned by the disturbing nature of the comments. Perhaps they assumed it was just empty talk from someone seeking attention.

As details emerge about the events of last week, the question that lingers sadly over Lincoln Sudbury Regional High School today is, could a red flag have been raised to someone in authority before the tragedy occurred? Could action have been taken to prevent it?

In a post-Columbine world, no threats can be treated lightly. Officials in Lincoln-Sudbury are conducting their own investigation to determine if the behavioral clues could have been read, and heeded, prior to January 19. The school principal, John M. Ritchie, said the school will establish a tip line to make it easier for students to alert adults to suspicious behavior.

Hudson police said the case in Sudbury prompted them to take quick action on Monday to arrest a 16-year-old girl in that town who, via an online chat room, threatened to kill two middle school students.

It's understandable that students might brush off stray remarks about violence and weapons. This is, after all, an age where kids can "virtually" kill via video games, and have viewed thousands of violent acts on TV before they even reach their teen years. Separating loose talk from real intent can't be easy.

The death of James Alenson has been a terrible blow to two families, who are left to struggle through the aftermath of January 19. In schools everywhere, the tragedy should be used to heighten awareness among students that speaking up is the right thing to do.