06/20/2025
Why I’m Sharing This Video
One of the core tenets of Speech and Debate is that knowledge is power. It allows us to have informed beliefs, to reassure others and ourselves during times of crisis and to honor the courage of so many in the midst of uncertainty such as the incident this afternoon at the NSDA 2025 National Tournament.
After being able to process the events, I want to make it clear that what happened today was frightening. It was real.
And for 10-15 minutes, hundreds of people reacted to what felt like the only imaginable outcome. It would be a lie to say that such events are unimaginable.
In a time where schools across the country conduct active shooter drills, where teachers are taught how to tourniquet major wounds and plan for the sad reality of modern violence it doesn’t make sense to say things like ‘there was no way to know’.
So many NSDA coaches lived through the tragedies in Jonesboro and Columbine, uncountable association judges watched as horror unfolded at Virginia Tech. The stories continue from Sandyhook to Stoneman Douglas to Uvalde.
We no longer react only to what is. We respond to what could have been.
Today we reacted to both. We saw hundreds of kids evacuate in terror. Streets lined with flashing lights and armed police. Crying children. Crying adults. Parents were thankful the voice on the other line was their child.
Now, the news of the incident has gone viral. And the trauma of all the above violence has resurfaced inside each person.
I share this video to provide clarity to those who were not in the room. Because so many coaches and students who I respect, love and cherish were in that room. I was in the room. In times like today, fear travels faster than truth. The reaction of the crowd was swift and emotional because we have seen this before and knew how to react.
I also share this video with pride. Because in the middle of the chaos, Arkansas educators, my friends, my colleagues, acted with purpose.
They shielded students, they picked up students who were being trampled, they directed the chaos to safety, they helped the helpless.
It proved that we are trained professionals. It shows what we all already know that our love for our students matter when it counts most. We will always do what it takes to protect them. And we will stand up and do the right thing when it matters the most.
Every person processes crises differently. So many are shaken. Those who ran might be feeling guilt. Those who froze might question themselves. There are hundreds who are trying to understand it all.
Many are even feeling anger and will lash out.
These are all valid responses and deserve understanding and empathy.
This was scary.
But we got through it together.
We are Arkansas. And when the moment came, we were exactly who we needed to be.
I am proud of our District,
Eric Gamble
