Parkland student shares touching request to remember her music-loving best friend
[Photo courtesy Em Jiminian Stoll]
There's no denying that music brings people together in a powerful way, and Parkland survivor Em Jiminian Stoll recognizes this. She's hoping to help remember her best friend Helena Ramsay, who died in the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting, for her love of music.
Sharing a message with former MCR members Gerard Way, Mikey Way, Ray Toro and Frank Iero, Em explains that Helena's ringtone was “Helena,” which is perfectly fitting considering her name. “The original response to my tweet was really incredible,” Em tells AltPress.
“A lot of fan accounts retweeted, checked in on me to make sure I was okay. More people said the song has a totally new meaning to them now; it's been very positive. I’m very thankful for anyone who has retweeted or liked or done anything to share it in any way.”
@gerardway @mikeyway @raytoro @FrankIero hi guys, you don't know me, but I've been a fan of your music for years. This past Valentine's Day, my platonic soulmate died in the Stoneman Douglas Massacre. As her name was Helena Ramsay, her ringtone was your song Helena…
— Em Jiminian Stoll (@emjimini) March 8, 2018
I know I'm asking for a lot, but it would mean so much to me if y'all could play that song one more time for her. Thank you sm for your time #MSDStrong #NeverAgain
— Em Jiminian Stoll (@emjimini) March 8, 2018
Survivors and activists are hoping to get the message to My Chemical Romance, asking people to share the message if they can:
Spread this like wildfire you guys �� https://t.co/5QKiugSujc
— Emma González (@Emma4Change) March 8, 2018
And Em is endlessly grateful for everyone who's taken time to help her out with something that means so much to her and Helena, who is remembered as a music lover and fan of everyone from Lana Del Rey to BTS.
“I want to thank everyone for their time. I’m one kid over here; I’m not anything special, but people have taken time out of their day to help me with something that in the grand scheme of things isn’t that important, but is very important to me,” Em says. “It really just means so much to me. Thank you.”
Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School students lost 17 classmates and teachers last month, and it's the survivors who are using their voice to make a change. They're continuing their fight, with nationwide events planned as they continue to demand a change. On March 14, one month after the shooting, students across the country walked out for 17 minutes in support of the 17 victims. Tens of thousands of students in the U.S. walked out of school to demand action on gun violence, making it one of the biggest demonstrations of student activism since last month's tragedy.
The March For Our Lives in Washington, organized by Stoneman Douglas students, is set to take place March 24.
Plus, high school student Julia Kemple of Kalamazoo, Michigan started the “Students Fighting Guns Since Adults Won't” petition in response to the Florida shooting.
Musicians are supporting the Parkland students, too. Fall Out Boy will be taking part in the special Stay Amped concert to End Gun Violence, alongside G-Eazy, Bebe Rexha, Lizzo and more. New Found Glory also announced a special benefit show to help raise funds for those impacted by the events at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.
These incredible young people are just like us—and they're using their voice to make a massive impact, too.
If you'd like to support Helena's Memorial Fund, you can do so here.
Please donate anything you can to Helena's family, let's make something positive come out of this horrible tragedy.
Helena Ramsay MSD Memorial Fund https://t.co/SK969kMSw4
— Em Jiminian Stoll (@emjimini) March 20, 2018
