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"When people don't talk about it, or just endure the abuse, it only gets worse. In my case, I suffered through it for six years until I finally had to say, 'That's enough; I'm not going to take it anymore; it's got to stop.' But, because I was silent for so long, people wonder, 'Why is she just now saying something about it?' and it causes them to have doubts.
"But unless you've been an abuse victim, you can't understand why somebody keeps silent for so long. There are so many reasons,"said Queen, who has been in counseling and therapy for over a year.
"I tried just to forget it ever happened, but my counselor made me understand that if I suppress it now, I'll have even more problems later on in life."
Telling authorities was difficult for Queen, as was having to bare the intimate details before strangers in court.
Queen has talked to other students at Smoky Mountain who have suffered abuse.That prompted her to start a Teen Crisis Group at school.
"I took a year off from school to help myself emotionally and most of my friends knew why. So they were comfortable talking about their situations with me,"the senior said.
"I now know that child abuse is rampant in North Carolina, and I want to make a difference. If one child speaks out and the abuse is prevented, then you have made a difference. I hope that the new support group sets precedence for our age group and others see how it helps to be able to talk about these forbidden issues.
"Most people think that Jackson County is a quaint little town where everything is peaceful, but the truth of the matter is child abuse is everywhere, whether it is physical, emotional or sexual abuse- it is here in our county,"she said. "We need to spread the word that children need to be children and to have fun and be treated properly. In order for us to be respectful to others we need to be shown respect."
"I decided to do something that no other senior has accomplished- direct a play,"said Queen who is directing a new version of "Romeo and Juliet"for her senior project. Queen decided this would be a way to increase her self-esteem and self-confidence.
"My teachers didn't know if I would be able to pull off such a complicated project, but I put my heart and soul into this production."To graduate, each senior at Smoky Mountain High School is required to complete a senior project.
Queen's version of "Romeo and Juliet"will be performed Friday, Nov. 17, in the Coulter Building recital hall at Western Carolina University. Romeo will be played by Jarrod Ketzler, and Juliet will be played by Cara Reid, both SMHS seniors.
Tickets are cost $2 each, and children 5 and under will be admitted free. All proceeds raised will be donated to the chorus/drama department at Smoky Mountain High School. For further information or ticket sales, contact Queen at 497-9816.
As another fund-raiser, Queen, a student in the newspaper class, is coordinating a raffle of a 1985 Toyota Corolla, donated by Ken Wilson Ford and Cecil and Steven Queen in Canton.
"We hope to raise enough money to support the newspaper department into the year 2003,"she said. Tickets are $5 each or three for $10 and can be purchased from any student in the class. The drawing will be held on Dec. 15 at noon.
"By helping others you help yourself. This is one way I am able to deal with my own problems. I hope that I can make a difference,"said Queen.
To other abuse victims still remaining silent, she would say, "Even though you have suffered so much, don't think you are a worthless person. You don't have to give up. You can get past it and you can succeed."
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