The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
STUDENTS WALK OUT
High school students stage walkout in memory of Florida shooting victims
Dozens of students at Avon Lake High School staged a walkout March 9 to remember the Parkland, Fla., shooting in February that left 17 dead and 14 wounded.
Standing outside of the school’s front entrance, 151 Commerce Drive, and holding signs, supporters encouraged the public to contact their elected representatives to demand substantive action.
On Feb. 14, a gunman entered Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School and opened fire creating chaos and resulted in the killing of students and staff.
Nationwide, students and elected officials are calling for some kind of gun control and to make schools safer.
Avon Lake High student organizers Emily Higley, Olivia Mercio and Allison Yellets said they wanted to be a part of the national conversation and contributing to the national conversation.
After creating an Instagram account about the walkout, word spread around the school quickly.
“We’re so used to seeing people brushing it off and forgetting about it,” said Olivia, 16, a
junior. “But when we forget about it, things don’t change and we need things to change because kids need to stop dying when they’re at school.
“They’re children and they’re just trying to go to school to learn and they’re dying and that’s unacceptable. And we shouldn’t brush it off and sweep it under the rug and forget about it.”
Olivia stressed the culture of fear that has accompanied the rash of school shootings.
She said it needs to end with creating an environment where students can feel safe.
“So I don’t know about you guys, but at school, I get really nervous when I’m in big open rooms and when there’s big open windows and I don’t know what’s going to happen, and I get nervous,” she said.
“I have to sit there and like pray to God that no one walks through that door with a gun or a knife or something to harm students.
“And that needs to stop. I shouldn’t have to go to school and be terrified that someone’s going to walk through that door.”
Sophomore Daniel Gray, 16, began his remarks alluding to a disturbing trend.
“It’s sad that we know the names of the perpetrators, but we’ve forgotten the names of the innocent victims,” David said. “Those students became a statistic; a statistic.
“No one should have to go through that. They were just like us. It started off as a normal day and they never walked out of that school. No one should end up being a statistic. No child should deserve that type of end.
“It needs to stop now. No one wants that. And that’s why we’re here.”
Schools are supposed to be a place that builds a foundation for the future, he said.
“That mindset and that mentality is stuck in our head with kindness and teamwork and the ability to gain knowledge,” David said.
“It is not built on bullets.”
He also read the names of the 17 students killed.
Allison, a 17-year-old sophomore, said she refused to remain silent while students continue to die unnecessarily and encouraged people to speak up.
She alluded to a statement from the National Association of Mental Health, which advocated creating an environment where students could seek help for themselves.
“I am not here to attempt to advocate your second amendment rights, nor am I going to say that we have poor leaders in office,” Allison said. “That is not what I want to come from this and that is not what I believe is right to say.
“I am here to encourage you to use your voice and stand up for what you believe in. I believe that we as a community, and as a school, can stand together and we should stand together and take action to make this district a more complacent and understanding society.”
Allison ended the walkout encouraging people to call their representatives.
She held up a sign with the phone numbers for U.S. Senators Sherrod Brown and Rob Portman, and U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur.
“If you feel so compelled to make a change, you can call them,” Allison said. “I know we’re teenagers and we don’t know anything, but we know how to work phones.”
The Avon Lake event precedes the national school walkout March 14 where several schools across Lorain County — including Lorain High, Elyria High and Lorain County JVS — are expected to participate.