They were the ones with the freshest sneakers and the biggest plans. They were the point guards, the science fair winners, the artists sketching in the back of class, and the trendsetters walking the halls. They were just getting started.

We often talk about the “potential” lost to gun violence, but today, we want to talk about the reality of who they were. We miss the noise they made. We miss the way they could learn a new dance move in ten minutes. We miss the late-night texts, the prom photos, and the dreams of college dorms.

This tribute is for every young person who had a “Plan A” that was stolen.

More Than a Statistic

When the news reports on gun violence, we usually hear numbers. We hear about crime scenes. But we rarely hear about the life that was interrupted.

We are here to remember the scholar who stayed up late studying for the ACTs. We are here to remember the athlete who never missed a 6:00 AM practice because they wanted to make their mom proud. We are here to remember the comedian—like Cameron—who could walk into a tense room and make everyone laugh within seconds.

These young people were not just “victims.” They were the future dentists, engineers, mechanics, and musicians of Memphis. They were working first jobs at Kroger and UPS. They were buying their first cars. They were building worlds that we were lucky to be a part of.

“You Can’t Take My Youth Away”

In the wake of tragedy, it is easy to feel defeated. But the spirit of our young people is resilient. They are powerful. And even when they are taken from us physically, the energy they brought to this world remains.

We love this song by Shawn Mendes and Khalid because it captures exactly how we feel. It isn’t about ignoring the pain; it’s about refusing to let the pain turn into hate. It is a reminder that the spirit of our youth—their joy, their swag, their dreams—cannot be erased.

“Pain, but I won’t let it turn into hate / No, I won’t let it change me… You can’t take my youth away.”

Keeping Their Spark Alive

How do we honor “The Dreamers”? We do it by speaking their names. We do it by finishing what they started.

If they were an artist, we share their paintings. If they loved to fix cars, we mentor a young mechanic. If they were a peacemaker, we advocate for peace in our streets. We ensure that their “Plan A” lives on through us.

Cameron Selmon wanted to create beautiful smiles as a dentist. Today, every time we help a student go to college or help a family find justice, we are keeping Cameron’s smile alive. We are refusing to let the violence have the last word.

Join the Series

Did you lose a child, a student, or a teammate who had big dreams?

This series is not just for us—it is for you. We want to know what your loved one aspired to be. Whether they wanted to be a dentist like Cameron, or an engineer, a rapper, or a chef—their ambition matters.

Let’s turn this page into a yearbook of beautiful lives.

[Button: Share Your Dreamer’s Story Here]