Emma Hovis (left) and Lindsay Weisskopf (right) both attended the Fourth of July parade throughout their childhoods and spoke about the impact of Monday’s tragedy. | Credit: photos courtesy of Emma Hovis and Lindsay Weisskopf

Lindsay Weisskopf

If you have ever watched “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off,” “Sixteen Candles,” “The Breakfast Club” or even “Weird Science,” you have seen Highland Park, Illinois, before. It is a cute town with a downtown area that is filled with Friday night concerts, holiday lights all year round and apple pancakes from our local pancake house. 

Though we live just north of Chicago, we often joke that Highland Park is a “bubble.” A bubble of shelter, peacefulness, safety and security. A bubble filled with arts and culture, family and friends.

I have lived in Highland Park since I was two years old. I have the fondest memories of sitting on the lawn of Ravinia Festival, performing at my gymnastics exhibitions, playing on our playground’s rocketship and watching the sunset at our local beach with my friends. I grew up participating in iRead- our month-long reading competition between the Highland Park elementary schools. I spent many Fourth of July celebrations riding in the children’s bike parade and on top of the Highland Park Park District’s float. 

Sophomore year I took my college friends home to see Highland Park. I gave them my personal tour—eagerly showing them my senior year parking spot, where my car gets serviced, my pediatrician and my favorite frozen yogurt shop. 

I distinctly remember what my roommate said to me when I had finished my tour — “You are so proud of this town.” And she was right. I was so proud of our community back then, and I am even prouder today. It has been beyond inspiring seeing my friends, family and neighbors come together to provide support for one another. 

You truly don’t think it will happen to your hometown until it does. But Highland Park is more than just a senseless tragedy, it’s the place where I grew up. 

Highland Park is not the first, but I hope that our tragedy will cause change. 

Lindsay Weisskopf, a fourth-year in communication, is from Highland Park, Illinois, and speaks on the events of the Fourth of July.

Emma Hovis

Highland Park means many things to me. Most importantly, it means family and friends. I was born and raised in Highland Park along with my two siblings, six first cousins and 14 second cousins. As long as I can remember, I’ve spent holidays like Thanksgiving and the Fourth of July in HP with my extended family and have always had at least a few cousins with me in school. In high school, my friends always said I was “cousins with everyone.” Highland Park is not only filled with my loving family, but a supportive passionate community. Like most kids growing up, my friends changed over time, but I am very fortunate to have made friends for life in Highland Park. 

Highland Park stands for inclusivity, love, passion and kinship. In the light of recent events, I’ve seen the community come together with generosity and compassion. 

This is a picture of my sister and me at the Highland Park Fourth of July parade. I looked forward to our family tradition of going to the parade with my cousins and family on my favorite holiday. I don’t think the Fourth of July will ever be my favorite holiday again. 

Just a few days ago, there was a mass shooting at this parade, and my parents, grandmother, aunt and uncle and friends had to run away from an active shooter with an assault rifle and other weapons of mass destruction. The minute I found out, I called my mom as fast as possible. She answered the phone crying, shaking and out of breath, running to my aunt and uncle’s house. That was the scariest phone call of my life. 

I hoped and prayed that my family would make it back to safety, and they did. I feel so lucky to say my family is safe, but not everyone in my community can say the same. I guess I just want to articulate how infuriated, devastated, heartbroken, and scared I am. No one should have to be afraid to be in a big crowd, on a holiday, in their home, without being shot. 

Tragedy can bring people together and that is certainly the case in Highland Park. Growing up in Highland Park brings up a lot of different emotions for me, but the one I would use to best describe the feeling I have right now is appreciation. The people of Highland Park and Highwood are the most generous people I know, and help each other when in need. I am so proud to say I am from Highland Park.

Emma Hovis, a second-year in marketing, is from Highland Park, Illinois, and speaks on the events of the Fourth of July.