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On February 14th at Parkland high school, 17 students were tragically killed and a community was left in shambles. This event reignited the debate over school safety, firearm rights, and mental health. It also sparked the upcoming March 14th walkout, which is planned to occur at thousands of schools across the country including here at Avonworth.
The March is a peaceful protest for federal legislation to protect our schools and the students that attend. Organized by the mayor of Ben Avon, Melanie Holcomb, the walkout also serves as a tribute to the 17 dead in the Florida shooting.
The protest will last 17 minutes, be held outside the school, and students will be granted an excused absence from your first-period class. The day is already planned as a two-hour delay.
Protests in states like Idaho and Indiana are challenging schools to develop their own plans to support students who choose to walk out as well as students who have different opinions on how to solve the issue of school violence.
In an email sent out to students, parents, and faculty, Dr. Ralston stated that he supported the students right to have a voice and to be involved in changing their school and community for the better. We interviewed a few students here at the school to gain an understanding of the level of participation on March 14th and found a mix of perspectives.
“No, I don’t see what it will accomplish. We’ve been saying for so long that there need to be new gun laws what can students actually do” -Michael Mucha
“I don’t know if I’ll do it, it is something students should consider, if they feel unsafe then they have the right to make it feel safe” -Sadie Stetser
“Yes, because it’s a good cause and I want to get out of class” -Oliver Holjes
“No, because it is stupid.” -Connor Pappas
