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Phoebe Prince, in her own words from blog in Ireland

KENNETH HAYNES,

IrishCentral.com Staff Writer

Published Tuesday, April 20, 2010, 11:09 AM

Updated Tuesday, April 20, 2010, 12:17 PM

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17 Comments

Phoebe Prince had shown herself a talented writer and student when she lived in Ireland. Here is an extract from her blog written in October, 2009. It shows a sensitive young woman, in love with life and close to her family:

Where have today's values gone? Everyone is so preoccupied with their electronic gadgets to appreciate simple moments, like the first snowfall of winter, or hearing the words 'I love you' for the very first time.

We live in an impersonal electronic society, is that where our values have gone too? We no longer appreciate simple conversations now that we have Twitter and Facebook. Personally, I can't believe that reading an e-mail would have the same effect as speaking with someone face to face, making a moment.

I get into my pink fluffy onesie and my feet tingle as they rub off the soft cushioned fabric. I head downstairs into the kitchen. The walls are heather green with various paintings of vegetables. I live in an old country house with a barn door and all the furnishings to boot.

Phoebe Prince

My father is sitting at the dining table reading a thriller-type novel as per usual, with a half glass full of white wine next to him. The fire is roaring and the smell of hydrangeas wafts through the air. I curl up on a chair adjacent from my father, making sure to be cosily tucked in near the fire.

He puts down his book and says, "Now what is on your mind tonight my dear?" From there on we start a heated debate about almost anything. Our conversations range from sex, drugs and rock and roll to matters of great importance, such as ancient religions, politics and criminal justice. No subject is off limits with me and my father.

I click in my glossy silver iPod into my speakers. I turn up the volume full blast, the walls vibrate from the sound of System of a Down screaming out "Chop Suey." I'm sitting in my room on my mattress (I broke my bed one evening whilst jumping on it). My walls are covered with doodles, posters, lyrics and memories. I have the lyrics to "I love college" by Asher Roth printed on my walls.

I start off by listening to some Arctic Monkeys - they always get me in a good mood. My mix soon turns into some darker music. My iPod reflects me inside throughout. It's my constant companion.

Soon my boyfriend rings me up, "Phoebe, c'mon man lets go for a spin, bring your iPod." I get into his Civic and he starts driving. The windows are down and the air is blowing through my hair. I plug my iPod in and the Alex Kidd starts pumping. Alex Kidd is by far my favorite DJ. The words "ecstasy" are throbbing in my ears. Leem starts speeding up we're going well over sixty miles an hour. We change the music to some Chemical Brothers and The Avalanches. He drops me outside the farm across the road from my house. I now put on "Sandiego Song" by the Coronas.

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irishwxman | Apr 26, 2010, 02:10 AM EDT

This is so heartbreaking. This is the one news story that actually brings tear to my eyes. A girl so young and so beautiful and innocent, her life thrown away by the evil deeds of cynical teenage girls. Heaven holds the faithful departed.

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Watchman | Apr 25, 2010, 12:26 PM EDT

Renfield: Yes. I agree. I think I'll back out of this tiff as well. Life – as the experience of Phoebe Prince demonstrates – is too short.

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Renfield | Apr 24, 2010, 11:13 PM EDT

I'm American. Virtually everyone in the U.S. was horrified by what happened to Phoebe Prince and wants the bullies to be punished severely. Many have suggested holding the parents responsible to some degree as well. There are calls for legislation to prevent future occurrences, but great care must be taken in crafting any new laws. We don't want to create ridiculous situations the way we did with sex offenders, where a kindergarten kid is labeled a sex offender for giving a classmate a kiss on the cheek. Watchman: "It is to be hoped" also avoids the common error of using "hopefully." Otherwise, I'm staying out of your tiff with Vallmoe.

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Watchman | Apr 24, 2010, 03:48 PM EDT

Vallmoe: as I said the last time, I was not the one who described Diana as a slut. That was someone else. And the reason I mentioned Diana in the first place was because, in a small way, the outpouring of emotion that followed Phoebe's suicide reminded me of the feverish response, both public and journalistic, that attended Diana's death. One other thing. You wrote the following: 'While we are on the subject of grammer, please explain the quote "it is to be hoped" give me a break London-Boy.' "It is to be hoped" means what it says. It avoids the personal pronoun ["I" – as in "I hope"] of which you obviously disapprove. Leaving that to one side, what you should have written was: While we are on the subject of grammar [with an 'a,' not an 'e'], please explain the phrase [not 'quote' - you are the one doing the quoting] "it is to be hoped". [full stop, new sentence] Give [capital 'G"] me a break, [comma] London Boy [no need for a hyphen]. I rest my case. And, by the way, I'm Irish.

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feliciamaisey | Apr 23, 2010, 11:01 AM EDT

I think the comments here are revolting. On the one hand, I totally understand what Watchman is saying--one cannot pick up a paper without being reminded of the loss of the young girl--it is horrible, but all the sorrowful feeling and anger toward the people who bullied her will not bring her back. To that end, maybe fighting for legislation is the better thing to do than constantly following every new story about her. On the other hand, I cannot ignore anything that has ot do with this girl. As a mother of four children, two of whom had been horribly bullied and victimized, I want to know what can be done in this time and place to change the laws--they are over due to be amended. What I cannot understand though, is how seemingly rational and opinionated adults would take to such scathing entries about one another. while watchman inferred that Phoebe was not he celebrity that Princess Diana was, Murphy66 decided to taint her memory with an unforgivable post. Then Vallmoe blows up and throws insult at Watchman, as do others. I thought this was a place where people could say what they had to say and were not supposed to be lambasted or misunderstood. I am saddened that that is not the case. The bottom line is that people are angry and growing rageful about this little girl. Not to throw fuel on the fire, but Watchman has a point--the young man who was recently killed is but a memory, or how about the young girl who was horrifically beaten by a large group of girls that were supposed to be her friends in Florida a year or two ago--who also posted their criminal actions against her on YouTube? I think instead of fighting like bullies on this site, maybe everyone should step back and take a deep breath--only then can real change for good occur.

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carmelblonde | Apr 23, 2010, 03:21 AM EDT

I am hoping they throw the book at those kids. We really need to start making an example of this. As someone who was bullied day in and day out last year, I know how Phoebe must have felt. Thankfully she is in a better place now and away from those hateful people.

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auto117584 | Apr 22, 2010, 01:28 PM EDT

What a lovely child.

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vallmoe | Apr 21, 2010, 06:47 PM EDT

Watchman, actually english is my first language and I couldn't care less whether you appreciate my grammer or not. If you don't want to read or care about the article then why post about it? This is still news watchman, why? Because it is still an open investigation, those accused have not gone to trial yet... While we are on the subject of grammer, please explain the quote "it is to be hoped" give me a break London-Boy.. What a pompus thing to say. I do live in America and we are outraged by what happened and guess what else? New laws are being introduced into legislation to prevent it from happening again. So, what will change? Bullying beautiful young students like Phoebe will be a crime and punishable in court. Also, I was really disgusted by the comment of calling Princess Diana a slut. I found the comment to be out of line and off subject. Most adults remember Princess Diana's death very well. I am not sure why you would bring this up except to inject your personal history into your story as some type of free-lance wannabe writer - looser!

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Aloygirl | Apr 21, 2010, 06:41 PM EDT

As a girl I was expelled for hitting someone who bullied my friend on a daily basis. I wish I could have done the same for Phoebe. I am grateful to God that my children came to me when pressures were to much for them. Hopefully the grandbaby (boy soon) will feel the same way. God Bless all the tormented souls with no one to defend them.

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krisdaly | Apr 21, 2010, 05:03 PM EDT

What a beautiful and sensitive spirit!!!!!!!!! To sensitive to the cruelty of the world. Phoebe thrived on love and that is what will be heaped upon her by our Lord and Saviour Jesus who is the Christ!!!!!!!!!

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Rosebeautiful | Apr 21, 2010, 02:17 PM EDT

Wow, I wish I could read more.

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kidaboo | Apr 21, 2010, 12:13 PM EDT

To Watchman, Obviously you haven't had a child that was abused by a bully and the bully got away with it. I am interested in the story because I would like to see justice for people who are absolutely beautiful on the inside and out and have to endure cruel taunts and abuse from the "cool" crowd. If you don't like the "hype" about these stories, don't read them or the comments people post.

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Watchman | Apr 21, 2010, 10:07 AM EDT

Vallmoe: English is obviously not your first language, so let me spell this out. Phoebe's story is extremely sad, and it is to be hoped that those involved in her case will put in place some means of preventing such bullying in the future. But the world is a big place. Lots of people kill themselves, or are murdered, every day of the week. there was a case in Dublin recently in which a young black boy was murdered by (presumed) racists. That story has been allowed to die with the victim. Here in America, tragedies and injustices occur on an everyday basis, with few prepared to mourn or express any lasting concern. I raised the Princess Diana business because I remember it very well. I covered the story for the Sunday Times of London. The whole country (and Ireland) was in tears. There had never been such a terrible event. And now, 13 years on, no one, outside of her family, gives a stuff. This is because we were not mourning an individual; we were burying ourselves inside a fairy tale, and when the story ended, we put the book away and rarely thought of it ever again. We wanted another story – with the same ingredients. Phoebe's story is such a one. But the world has to move on and there is only so much time, and sentiment, we van devote to one small tragedy in one small town. How may girls have been bullied today? How many women have been raped? How many gay men have been beaten up? How many innocent people have been hanged? God, if he exists, may weep for each fallen sparrow, but the rest of us – unless we are personally involved – have to do it by the numbers. Oh, and by the way, I don't think Diana was a slut (and nor, of course, did I ever say she was). But I don't think she was an angel either. She was just someone, like Phoebe, caught up in something she could not control. Now, please, let's get on with the bigger picture. the world hasn't stopped. It's still in spin and we all have things to do.

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vallmoe | Apr 20, 2010, 05:16 PM EDT

@murphy66 and watchman both said, so I can only surmise you must be related to those accused of her suicide. This young lady was a talented writer with a beautiful spirit. The torment she endured was more then she could handle and at at time when she was trying to adjust to a new school and missing her father. If you can't be supportive then be quiet! Because I can't understand why you would even mention Diana and then the other call her a slut? Sick and twisted, your own lives must be pathetic to even bring up something so ugly.

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murphy66 | Apr 20, 2010, 04:41 PM EDT

You're right, Watchman, Phoebe was not at all like Princess Slut.

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