How come whenever a young high school student dies, the media is quick to paint a flowery portrayal of the recently departed?  It seems like every story is the same--she was "well-loved;" "a friend to everyone;" "optimistic;" "so full of life."  The endless string of complements are so ruddy generic they're oughta be printed on a Hallmark card.  I know high school kids--I went to high school.  No one is ever like that (unless the ones who are all die young and end up on the news). 

Imagine if I died tragically in high school--I would've loved to see the media trying telling the story about what my life was like.  I doubt anyone would call me optimistic and full of life.  The more likely quotes woulda been "a smart mouth;" "wiseguy;" "lazy;" and "bit of an attitude problem."  The best sound bite would be from my principal: "He's probably the only kid in America to have detention hall named after him."  I'd like to see the media turn that into a melancholy fluff piece--because that's what people would be saying.  And anyone who didn't, would be lying--lying like the rug I set fire to in third period English.