Former Principal of Sullivan Central High School in Blountville, TN, Melanie-Riden Bacon, is no stranger to challenges. Seeing an urgent need for implementing a robust safety and security program for her high school, she jumped in with both feet. Little did she know that a test of that safety program was just around the corner. On August 30, 2010, a man entered the school requesting to meet with Principal Riden-Bacon. In the blink of an eye, she found a gun pointed directly to her head. This keynote will provide an overview of how challenges were overcome, and partnerships were forged, which ultimately led to every student and staff member surviving this harrowing ordeal.