Today is March 14th, for most of us, a regular school day like any other. But not for everyone, not for the students of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High school. Today, and every day that follows will be different now. Today, those students, and students across the nation are standing up in an attempt to make their voices heard.
What happened at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School is known to the entire nation. 17 students died because of a school shooting. Tomorrow students, across the nation and here at Hilton high will walk out to show solidarity. According to Mr. Bartalo, our high school principal, the student walk out was organized by students to “show solidarity with students around the nation who are coming together to honor victims and bring awareness to their desire to end such violence in schools.” Here at Hilton, students will be allowed to respectfully and responsibly join the national walkout without any repercussions for missing class.
The walkout was a national push, but within our school district, select students plan to “read names of those who lost their lives, read some prepared statements and have a moment of silence,” according to Mr. Bartalo.
At 10:00 am, for 17 minutes, to represent the 17 students who died, students who wish to participate in the walkout will head to LeBeau field. Security will be increased during this time and all students are allowed to participate.
Attendance will be high, without a doubt. But will all the students present have the right intention in mind? Granted, there will be people there ready to honor the students that died, stand up for what they believe in, and promote school safety. However, there will be people there who walkout for the sake of skipping class.
I can’t change your mind to attend the gathering with the right idea in mind. But if you plan on going just to skip class, I can only ask to please be respectful and have some respect for the kids that were killed.
Today, at ten o’clock during fourth set, if you feel a need to take action against violence in our nation’s schools, you can plan on attending the walkout to LeBeau field to recognize the tragedies that have taken place. Mr. Bartalo and the High School staff are supporting our respectful choice to take action. Those who are respectful, responsible, and return to class as scheduled after the 17 minute walk out will not face consequences.