As she knelt on the cafeteria floor of Columbine High School on April 20, 1999, Krista Hanley did not know that two of her friends were murdering classmates just outside the school. Tragically, they killed twelve students, one teacher, and themselves, while transforming the Columbine community from average high school students and staff into mass shooting

survivors.

Though she escaped the building unscathed, the days, months, and years following the event were emotionally wrought as she attempted to function under the shadow of extreme trauma. Through continued national tragedies, college and career decisions, difficult relationships, and untreated PTSD, Krista suppressed her suffering while she sought to regain

a sense of normalcy.

Over a decade later, she finally faced her fears and learned that turning towards art, sharing her story, and empowering herself could bring resilience, recovery, and maybe even hope.

While the United States continuously experiences senseless mass incidents, How to Survive a Mass Shooting aims to widen the discussion about the struggles of survivors and how trauma affects individuals throughout their lives.