Students Honor National Walkout Day
Students lead prayer service and informational event to honor The Columbine Shooting and the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Shooting Friday April 20.
PHOTO | Taylor Pitzl
Senior Kate Sullivan leans on senior Aidan McEnerney’s shoulder as they sit in silence to mourn those who have died at the hands of gun violence.
Survivors of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting that took place February 14 organized a National Student Walkout Day to take place on the 19th anniversary of the Columbine Shooting, April 20, to honor the lives of students who have lost their lives in school shootings and to raise awareness about gun safety, according to The New York Times. Seniors Amira Alani, Carolyn Dickey and Lucy Steyer worked with the administration to hold a prayer service and informational tables during lunch and study hall to participate in National Walkout Day while encouraging students to take action.
Senior Morgan Hickman helped the event by creating posters to create awareness about the event. She drew red roses to symbolize the lives lost in the Columbine shooting. Alani, having been inspired by the Parkland students who have spoken out since the shooting, reached out before spring break to other students and administrators to organize the event.
Junior Lohgann Wilson speaks in front of the school at the grotto about gun violence and how it has personally affected her life.
“With a little guidance from faculty and administration, the students put together a wonderful, memorable day,” Assistant Principal for Student Life Fran Koehler said. “We believe the memorial provided a greater impact than students walking out and going home.”
At 10 a.m. April 20, students walked silently out to the Grotto for the prayer service. Alani, Dickey, Steyer and junior Lohgann Wilson gave short speeches on how the issue of school shootings has affected them and motivated them to take action.
“The result was very positive and everyone I talked to felt that my peers and other students were very attentive and truly listened to myself and the other’s speeches,” Alani said. “That was the goal- to show everyone that no matter your political views you can advocate for change.”
During students lunch and study hall, tables were set up in the lunchroom where students could sign up to vote, write to their congressman and educate themselves on the issue of gun safety. Students like senior Sydney Crawford used the period take action for the cause they cared about.
“I felt like it was a great opportunity to take action,” Crawford said. “I thought it was more powerful as we all were working and writing together.”