Violets against violence: teen dating

Published 9:54 am Thursday, April 23, 2015

Call it peer pressure – for a good cause.

Davie High students, many of them in memory of teacher Lynn Tutterow, decided that something needed to be done about teen dating violence.

“Violets Against Violence” was born. Art students created 1,000 ceramic violets, which are being sold for $10 each, with proceeds going to the art class and to domestic violence prevention.

The violets are on display under the oak trees on the square in Downtown Mocksville. Purchase one at town hall or by contacting art teacher, Jessica Allen, at allenj@davie.k12.nc.us.

Allen said statistics show the gravity of the problem. One out of three young people will experience dating violence in their lifetime. With 1,766 students at Davie High, that means 589 students likely will experience violence in a relationship.

“Thank you for the students who decided this is a worthy cause,” she said last week at an unveiling of the violets. “Thank you for educating your peers.”

Mocksville Mayor Dr. F.W. Slate read from a proclamation against teen dating violence.

The violets will be ready for pick up at the Daniel Boone Family Festival on May 2, and May 4 and later at the high school.