# @josiestoffan on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/DRsrMeIDQkL
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/37420992-josiestoffan-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/b7a777f788.jpg
- **Posted:** 2025-11-30T22:52:25.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Josie Stoffan (@josiestoffan) — https://gondola.cc/josiestoffan

## Caption

I usually post fun college vlogs and student life content, but this is a different and much more personal post. Today marks 4 years since the school shooting I experienced in 2021 when I was a junior in high school. For those who don’t know, I am a survivor of the Oxford High School shooting, where 4 students were killed and 7 others, including a teacher, were injured. It was the worst day of my life, and it’s something I still deal with every single day.

On November 30th, a 15 year-old student planned and carried out a mass shooting during passing time. He fired into classrooms and hallways, trying to kill anyone he encountered. I texted my parents a goodbye text and said “I love you” because I genuinely thought it might be the last thing I ever said.

The months after were extremely hard. I struggled with sleeping, eating, leaving the house, being in crowds, and even hearing loud noises. Going back to school a few months later was honestly one of the most difficult things I’ve ever had to do. Seeing empty desks where my classmates used to sit and walking through the same hallways where everything happened was something I don’t think anyone can ever fully prepare for. School didn’t feel like school anymore. There were therapy dogs, armed police, metal detectors, and clear backpacks.

I truly didn’t think I would finish high school. When my school did reopen, I could hardly get through a full week of classes. But I kept showing up, even on the days when it felt impossible. I’m proud of how far I’ve come, even though I still deal with triggers and think about that day every single day.

Getting involved in advocacy helped a lot. I marched with March For Our Lives and co-founded a nonprofit for Uvalde survivors. Helping others made me feel less alone in what I was going through.

Most importantly, I want to honor the four classmates whose lives were stolen: Madisyn Baldwin, Hana St. Juliana, Tate Myre, and Justin Shilling. They were kind, talented, loved, and had their entire futures ahead of them. I will always carry their names and their stories with me. 11.30.21. 💛 #oxfordstrong

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