THE STILL POINT IN THE STORM: The Story of Nija Higgins and the Mesquite School Shooting — February 19, 2024.

THE STILL POINT IN THE STORM: The Story of Nija Higgins and the Mesquite School Shooting — February 19, 2024. News Story: https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/he-wont-put-the-gun-down-assistant-principal-faced-armed-student-recalls-chilling-moment/287-a58550a0-a372-44de-b86d-54c5a25f6a04

MESQUITE, TEXAS — You heard the news report.

Now hear the story of the woman who stood in the middle of it.

On February 19, 2024, what began as an ordinary school day at Pioneer Academy became a defining moment for an entire community. A 16-year-old student stood inside the vice principal’s office holding a gun. The air tightened. Time slowed. Every second felt heavy.

This was not a headline yet.

This was a human moment.

And in that moment, Nija Higgins stood steady.

Fear was real. Confusion was thick. Even the officers who responded felt the intensity pressing in from every side. Weapons were drawn. Commands were shouted. The situation escalated. Nineteen shots were fired before the student was subdued, struck in the leg.

But before the sirens.

Before the shell casings hit the floor.

Before the story reached the evening news —

There was her calm.

Nija did not surrender to panic.

She did not mirror chaos.

She did not allow fear to dictate her spirit.

She became the still point in the storm.

Her voice was measured.

Her presence was steady.

Her faith was unshaken.

In a room where adrenaline surged and hearts raced, she anchored the atmosphere. Because she remained calm, others found clarity. Because she stayed grounded, lives were protected. Because she trusted in something greater than the moment, she chose courage over collapse.

And when the crisis reached its peak, when smoke cleared and shock settled in, she spoke words that revealed the depth of her heart:

“That’s somebody’s baby.”

Where many saw only danger, she saw humanity.

Where others saw a threat, she saw a hurting child.

Where fear tried to write the final sentence, faith held the pen.

That is not weakness.

That is moral courage.

That is leadership forged in fire.

This is more than a story about survival.

It is a testimony of composure, compassion, and conviction under pressure.

Two years later, we do more than remember the event — we honor the example.

On the second anniversary of the Mesquite school shooting, Pastor Kyev Tatum and the Ministers Justice Coalition of Texas will formally recognize Nija Higgins for her extraordinary courage, her steady leadership, and the lives preserved through her calm response at Pioneer Academy.

Because heroes do not always wear badges.

Sometimes they wear school ID badges.

Sometimes they stand in offices instead of on stages.

Sometimes they save lives not with force — but with faith.

What Does “The Still Point in the Storm” Mean?

The “still point in the storm” is more than poetic language. It describes a sacred posture of the soul — a decision to remain centered when everything around you is spinning.

Spiritually, it echoes the image of Jesus asleep in the boat during the storm (Matthew 8:23–27). While the winds raged and the disciples panicked, Christ embodied divine calm. The message was clear: when God is present, peace is possible — even before the storm stops.

Mentally and emotionally, the still point is the inner sanctuary where one pauses before reacting. It is the ability to breathe, to steady the heart, to think clearly when fear tries to take control. It is choosing to be still and know that God is present in the middle of uncertainty.

In leadership, it is the discipline of composure. It is being grounded enough to guide others through crisis. It is responding rather than reacting. It is strength wrapped in steadiness.

Physically, it mirrors the eye of a hurricane — calm air at the center while chaos circles around it.

Finding that still point requires anchoring oneself in faith, focusing on what can be controlled, breathing through the pressure, and trusting that God is greater than the moment.

On February 19, 2024, in a small office at Pioneer Academy, Nija Higgins found that still point.

And because she did, others were able to walk out of the storm alive.

She did not just endure a crisis.

She demonstrated what it means to lead when it matters most.

She was — and remains — the still point in the storm.