This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2013, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
"I will get my education, if it is in home, school, or any place. … They cannot stop me." These were the words of Malala Yousufzai, the 15-year-old Pakistani girl who a year ago was shot twice in the head by the Taliban for advocating girls' education. Last week, after getting out of the hospital, she went back to school, in Birmingham, England.
This valiant girl had to endure extreme violence just to live her dream of going to school. But here in America, education is constantly taken for granted by students who do not realize just how lucky they are to have this opportunity.
For most of us in America, education is seen as a task, a burden. It is something we are forced to get up in the mornings for, study for and prepare for.
We need to get serious about this gift of education because it is something so few people worldwide get to experience.
Olivia Pratt
Salt Lake City