AUSTIN, Texas — Former Reagan High School teacher Vanessa Conner vividly remembers 15-year-old Ortralla Mosley: a popular, good student on the drill team who was also dating Marcus McTear, a football player.
“Unfortunately, their relationship became stormy and Marcus could no longer handle his emotions regarding that relationship,” Conner said.
Conner’s last memory of Ortralla ended in tragedy after McTear stabbed Ortralla to death in a school hallway in March 2003.
“I looked, and there she was in a pool of blood. You know, my stomach flipped,” Conner said.
Conner said she squatted down next to Ortralla and took her hand, begging her to stay alive.
“‘You cannot leave.’ And her eyelids would flutter a little, but she died,” Conner said.
Her death left her mother Carolyn White-Mosley to mourn a life without her daughter.
“It’s an event that stained my heart, my mind and my soul for the entire life that I have left,” White-Mosley said.
Now, White-Mosley collaborates with organizations that raise awareness for teen dating violence, visiting places like schools, churches and businesses to speak with teenagers. Connor also made it her mission to tell Ortralla’s story in front of thousands of students.
When hearing about the deadly stabbing at Manor Senior High School, which left an 18-year-old dead, the memories flash back for White-Mosley and Conner.
“That mother. The heart of the mother right now is my biggest concern,” White-Mosley said.
Conner said society needs to reevaluate supporting kids in their mental health journeys.
“What are we doing about kids’ mental health? What are we not doing about kids’ mental health that is causing stabbings and shootings to happen in schools?” Conner said.
Both are making a plea to reject violence for the greater good.
“Love them,” White-Mosley said. “Love your babies.”
If you or any of your loved ones are dealing with an abusive relationship, we encourage you to call the National Dating Abuse Helpline at 1-866-331-9474, which is open 24 hours a day.